Auricular and periauricular pathologies in the ENT department of Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital in Lome (Togo)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological aspects, clinical features and principles of management of different types of auricular and peri-auricular pathologies. This is a 5-year retrospective descriptive study (from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2023) of the records of patients who consulted for a functional or cosmetic complaint relating to the auricle or periauricular region in the ENT and cervico-facial surgery department of the Centre hospitalier universitaire Sylvanus Olympio. A total of 159 cases over 5 years, i.e. an annual frequency of 31 cases, met the study criteria. The mean age of the patients was 22.2 years. Children and students accounted for 24.5% and 23.9% of cases respectively. Auricular pathologies accounted for 64.8% of cases and peri-auricular pathologies for 36.2%.Tumors and trauma accounted for 33.3% and 29.6% of cases respectively, and congenital pathologies were found in 29.9% of cases. Among traumatic lesions, intentional assault and battery was the cause in 21.3%, followed by road accidents in 17.2%. The right ear was affected in 48% and the lobule in 40.4%. Keloids accounted for 17.6% of all cases, and 53% of tumors and pseudotumors. The left ear was involved in 50% of cases. Piercing was the cause of keloids in 10.7% of cases. Auricular and peri-auricular pathologies were dominated by benign tumors, trauma and congenital pathologies, and involved young subjects. Management is based on the type of lesion, with functional and aesthetic considerations in mind.