Abstract
The anatomical causes underlying the distribution pattern of abscesses due to the preauricular sinus are presented together with a retrospective study of affected patients. The distribution of the preauricular sinus opening and the abscess position in 27 patients was investigated. To confirm the anatomical factors affecting abscess distribution, auricular and preauricular tissues of cadavers were microscopically and macroscopically examined. Twenty-three of 27 abscesses were concentrated in the preauricular region away from the area where the subcutaneous fat was thick. One was found in the crus helix, and the other three were found in the sinus opening. The preauricular subcutaneous fat layer was contained posteriorly and caudally by the spine of helix, superior auricular ligament, and zygomatic arch. The abscess tended to gravitate toward the preauricular fat layer and it may be misdiagnosed as an infected epidermoid cyst.
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Acknowledgement
The authors thank Dr Tetsuji Moriizumi (Department of Anatomy, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto) for his kind supports and help as an anatomical doctor.
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Ban, R., Shinohara, H., Matsuo, K. et al. Limited distribution of gravitation abscess caused by infected preauricular sinus depends on anatomical structure. Eur J Plast Surg 31, 59–63 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-008-0241-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-008-0241-3