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Hole in Ear: Everything You Need To Know About Preauricular Pit

If you notice a hole in your ear, that is called a preauricular pit. It is something that some people are born with.

Preauricular Pit: Hole in Ear

A preauricular pit is a little hole or cyst above the ear canal, just in front of the ear. This gap indicates an improperly located sinus tract under the skin. The hole is connected to an unusual sinus tract under the skin. The tract is a narrow passageway that can cause infection.

The size of these tracts can vary. While some people have a short tract, others have a longer one with numerous branches. There is only one pit, which is frequently on the right side. Most people only know their pit after an infection or a normal ear, nose, and throat checkup.

Preauricular pits are distinct from brachial cleft cysts, which might appear along the neck, beneath the chin, or around or behind the ear. Preauricular pits have several names, which include the following:

  • preauricular cysts

  • preauricular fissures

  • preauricular tracts

  • preauricular sinuses

  • ear pits

One or both ears may develop these pits, and there may be more than one pit. A pit, nevertheless, is more frequently found in just one ear.

These holes often only create minor anomalies that do not pose a severe threat. However, some individuals experience sinus and pit infections. At times, the location of the pit may develop an abscess. Surgery might be required for recurrent infections.

Preauricular pits are a frequent birth anomaly that was originally noted in 1864. These pits are typically discovered by medical experts when doing standard newborn checks.

Since your ear does not fully mature before birth, you are born with one. It is a typical condition and is regarded as benign. If your doctor notices this in your newborn, they might check for other anomalies.

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Infected Preauricular Pit Symptoms, Treatment

Not all kids with preauricular pits experience the same symptoms. The most typical signs are as follows:

  • A discernible little hole in front of either the right or left ear.

  • An aperture that resembles a dimpling more.

  • An infection, such as cellulitis or an abscess, is indicated by swelling, discomfort, fever, redness, or pus in or around the pit.

  • A cyst is indicated by a slowly expanding, painless lump close to the orifice. Infection is also more likely when there is a cyst.

Preauricular sinus infection indicates that the entire sinus system needs to be surgically removed. To treat the infection and give the infection time to clear up, antibiotics should be administered before scheduling the surgery.

Some surgeons advise removing preauricular sinuses even before they become infected because the procedure is more challenging when dealing with the scarring associated with recurring infection,

Patients are typically sent home the same day after having a preauricular sinus removed under general anesthesia. The sutures will be removed one week after the procedure, and the scar will typically look exceptionally well.

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