Patient's question:
My child has a small opening in the auricle, which is often red and swollen, and it itches. I thought it was strange, so I took my child to a top-tier hospital for examination. The detailed check-up results showed a congenital preauricular fistula, and it was said that the problem wasn't serious, just requiring some anti-inflammatory medication.The help I hope to receive: What causes a congenital preauricular fistula?
Doctor's answer:
Congenital preauricular fistula is a common otological disease. It is caused by the poor fusion of small papillary nodules formed by the second and third pharyngeal arches during embryonic development, or incomplete separation of the second pharyngeal groove. The fistula is a blind tube that may branch and bend, with its external opening usually located anterior and superior to the helical crus. The lumen is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, containing squames that push against the surrounding fistula opening, and occasionally a small amount of viscous sebaceous gland-like material may ooze from the fistula. Once infected, it becomes red, swollen, and painful, with recurrent episodes. This condition is an incomplete penetrance autosomal dominant genetic disease, a remnant caused by the incomplete fusion of the second pharyngeal groove during embryonic development.