Abstract
The petrified ear is characterized by calcifications or ossifications of the cartilaginous parts of the outer ear. It is described as a rare finding, but the prevalence of this finding is unclear. In a retrospective analysis of 200 computed tomographic scans of the head, 39 patients showed ossifications/calcifications of the cartilaginous parts of the outer ear (19.5 %). These affected the cartilage of the auricle in 13 patients (6.5 %), the cartilaginous parts of the external auditory channel in 25 (12.5 %) and in one patient both (0.5 %). All ossifications/calcifications were incidental findings in our series. Contrary to most authors, auricular ossifications/calcifications per se seem to be a common finding, but symptoms due to a petrified ear seem to be rare. To establish proper differential diagnosis, radiologists and otorhinolaryngologists should be aware of these findings.
References
Bochdalek G (1866) Physiologische Verknöcherung der Auricula. Prager Vierteljahrsschrift 89:33–44
Wassmund L (1899) Verknöcherung der Ohrmuschel und Roentgenopraphie. Dtsch Med Wchnschr 4:439–440
Kim SY, Hong DK, Im M, Lee Y, Lee JH, Seo YJ (2011) A case of auricular ossification. Ann Dermatol 23:S261–S263
Laguna EV, Martinez AA, Burgos F (2009) Petrified ear—a case of calcinosis cutis. Acta Der Venerol 89:527–528
Scherrer F (1932) Calcification and ossification of the external ears. Ann Otol 41:867–885
Aw J, Davies R, Cook JL (2011) Stone deaf: the petrified ear—case report and review of the literature. Radiol Case Rep 6:430
Buikema KE, Adams EG (2012) A rare case of petrified ear. Case Rep Dermatol Med. doi:10.1155/2012/410601
Gordon D (1964) Calcifications of the auricular cartilage. Arch Intern Med 112:73–77
Mastronikolis NS, Zampakis P, Kalogeropoulou C, Stathas T, Siabi V, Geropoulou E, Goumas PD (2009) Bilateral ossification of the auricles: an unusual entity and review of the literature. Head Face Med 5:17
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gossner, J. Prevalence of the petrified ear: a computed tomographic study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 271, 195–197 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2735-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2735-2