Chondrodermatitis Helicis: Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Chronica Helicis

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Abstract
One hundred cases of chondrodermatitis helicis were analyzed and the pertinent literature reviewed. The histopathologic features which provide fairly reliable criteria for diagnosis are: (1) nodular hyperplasia of the epidermis, (2) fibrinoid alteration of the dermal collagen, (3) proliferation of a richly vascularized granulation tissue associated with an inflammatory infiltrate and (4) perichondritis with or without degenerative changes of the auricular cartilage. Clinically the lesion was characterized by a small painful nodule situated on the helix in 85 instances and on other specified portions of the ear in 12. It was centrally depressed or ulcerated and surmounted by an adherent scale or crust. In this study the nodule was limited entirely to men. The lesion can be readily differentiated from other benign and malignant keratotic and inflammatory conditions, although the clinical and pathologic pictures were mistaken for senile keratosis or carcinoma in a relatively high percentage of cases. Several possible etiologic and pathogenetic factors were suggested although no definite conclusions were reached. On the basis of our studies it is believed that chondrodermatitis helicis is an acceptable clinicopathologic entity.

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