Patient's question:
Health consultation description: Congenital preauricular fistula, what interference does it cause if not treated? Haven't been to the hospital, and no symptoms have reappeared. It's just occasionally itchy.Doctor's answer:
Congenital preauricular fistula is a common otological disease. It is caused by the failure of fusion of the second and third branchial arches or incomplete separation of the second branchial groove during embryonic development. A fistula is a blind tube that may have branches and bends, with its external opening usually located above and in front of the helix crus. The lumen is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, and the cavity contains squames that push against the surrounding fistula opening. Occasionally, some viscous sebaceous gland-like material may ooze from the fistula opening. Once infected, it becomes red, swollen, and painful, and can recur repeatedly. This condition is an incomplete penetrance autosomal dominant genetic disease. If there are no obvious symptoms, treatment is not necessary. If infection and inflammation occur, antibiotic and other anti-infective treatments should be administered.