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This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with congenital auricular deformities and evaluate the long-term frequency of their self-correction. Ninety newborns were enrolled in the study, and data were collected within 2 weeks after birth and at 1 year. The shape of the auricle was classified into seven categories using a digital image. At 2 weeks after birth, several birth-related factors were evaluated in the auricular deformity and normal groups. At 1 year after birth, the images of auricles were compared with the images at birth, and the changes in the auricle shape were investigated. Congenital auricular deformities were observed in 139 out of 180 ears, and the major type noted was helix rim deformity (47 ears), followed by normal ears (41 ears), and cup ears (33 ears). Male sex was found to have a statistically significant association with the occurrence of auricular deformity. In the longitudinal study, among 43 neonates (86 ears) followed-up 12 months later, the self-correction rate was approximately 50%. The normal auricle and prominent ear increased, helix rim deformity and cup ear decreased significantly. The prognosis of deformity varied depending on the type of deformity. Considering the low self-correction rate in the prominent and cup ears, newborns with these deformities might be recommended to undergo management such as auricle molding technique, as required., (Copyright © 2021 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The advent of three-dimensional stereo-photogrammetry in recent years has vastly helped the craniomaxillofacial field improve in terms of preoperative and intraoperative decision making. With regard to the auricle though, there is paucity of research as to the application of this promising technology., Methods: A total of 20 normal adult ears were included in this study. Thirteen anthropometric measurements were taken, twice by two plastic surgeons using direct measurement (DM) and through images captured via 3dMD™. The purpose was to compare the reliability of measurements involving the two instruments., Results: The overall mean absolute differences (MADs) of all ear anthropometries of DM and 3dMD™ were 0.52 mm (range: 0.28-0.72 mm) and 0.27 mm (range: 0.15-0.53 mm), respectively, and the grand mean relative error magnitudes (REMs) were 2.85% (range: 1.01-5.99%) and 1.57% (range: 0.48-3.62%), respectively, across observers. Thus, the precision of all ear anthropometries across observers was high in both methods, but the precision of 3dMD was better than DM irrespective of observers. In addition, the MADs were less than a millimeter across all measurements., Conclusion: The application of three-dimensional technology in microtia surgery for both template production and soft tissue analysis leads to improved planning and satisfactory results with fewer complications. We believe that with further refinement and enhancement, the use of this innovation will pave the way for prefabricated, individualized autologous or biocompatible alloplastic implantable frameworks based on an accurate mirror image of each patient's normal ear in unilateral cases and in bilateral cases, appropriately sized., (Copyright © 2015 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We present a case of spontaneous seroma of the ear, which can be encountered in the plastic surgery clinic. We describe our management and briefly review the literature regarding this interesting condition., (Copyright © 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma arising on the auricle is believed to metastasise to the regional lymph nodes more frequently than comparable tumours at other sites. Metastatic spread of these tumours is associated with a poor outcome but there is no clear consensus of opinion on how to identify patients at risk of metastatic spread and treat them., Materials and Methods: A systematic review database search of Medline and Embase was conducted with cross referencing of articles., Results: The metastatic rate is 11.2% with spread to the parotid and upper deep cervical chain most common. Eighty-five per cent of metastases develop within 12 months and 98% within 24 months, although follow up was limited to 12 to 36 months in most cases. Death occurs in 6.2% of cases (about half of the patients who develop metastases) usually due to failure of loco-regional control. Depth of invasion, tumour size, degree of cellular differentiation and incomplete primary excision margins may be useful in identifying lesions most at risk of metastasising but there is insufficient evidence at present to allow targeted neck dissections.

Our previous study showed that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure of NC/Nga mice, a mouse model of atopic dermatitis, induces no dermal changes. In the present study, to investigate whether TCDD exacerbates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions elicited in NC/Nga mice, NC/Nga mice were applied with picryl chloride (PC), and then were exposed to a single oral dose of 0 (control), 5, and 20 microg TCDD/kg. Two weeks later, spleens, blood, and skin specimens were collected. TCDD exposure increased the production of Th1-type cytokine IFN-gamma, but not Th2-type cytokine IL-4, from spleen cells stimulated with a mitogen. The plasma total IgE antibody levels of the TCDD-exposed mice remained at control levels. On the other hand, TCDD exposure markedly increased the mast cell infiltration and degranulation in PC-sensitized NC/Nga mice histologically, as compared with control mice. These results suggest that TCDD exposure exacerbates atopic dermatitis-related inflammation with no increase of IgE antibody production and that TCDD may be one of the environmental pollutants that induce exacerbations of atopic diseases.

There has been some concern that certain non-sensitizing irritants may yield false positive results in the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA). This study compared gene expression profiles in lymph nodes draining skin following exposure to sensitizers and irritants, to identify gene transcripts that could distinguish sensitizers from irritants. After treating CBA/N mouse ears for 3 days with the sensitizers 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 2-phenyl-4-ethoxymethylene-5-oxazolone, or toluene-2,4-diisocyanate or the non-sensitizing irritants croton oil or nonanoic acid, auricular lymph nodes and ear tissues were excised. Sensitizer-induced changes in parameters such as ear thickness, lymph node weight, and cell count also occurred in irritant-treated mouse tissues. However, gene transcripts such as Ifi27, Il12rb1, Ifng, and Zbp1, which are related to T-cell activation, were shown by gene expression microarrays and real-time RT-PCR analyses to be up-regulated in auricular lymph nodes by sensitizers exclusively. These findings suggest that gene expression analysis may enable distinction between sensitizing chemicals and non-sensitizing irritants.