Seroma of Auricle

The pseudocyst of the auricle is an intracartilaginous lesion defined as the accumulation of sterile, straw-coloured fluid in a cyst unlined by epithelium. It is more common in males. The most common site of lesion is the scaphoid fossa and right ear. Though the aetiology remains unclear, it may be associated with mechanical irritation, repeated minor injuries and chronic trauma. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent deformity of the auricle. Pseudocyst of the auricle is a rare and challenging condition. Medical management has unfortunately shown no practical results. Hence, surgical treatment modalities are the best option. The universal aim of treatment is the conservation and restoration of the anatomical structure of the pinna, removal of cystic lesions and prevention of recurrence. Simple aspiration or incision and drainage alone lead to reaccumulation of cystic fluid in most cases. The technique of incision and drainage is the easiest but has a high recurrence rate. Conservative treatment often results in recurrence and unsatisfactory results. Other treatment modalities include incision and drainage with daily irrigation, auricular splinting, aspiration with intralesional steroid injection, aspiration followed by compression dressing, or aspiration with intralesional steroid injection followed by compression dressing and surgical deroofing, surgical deroofing followed by compression with buttons or sheet or sandwich method. Cysts with a diameter less than 1 cm are dealt with through non-surgical treatment modalities, while for cysts having a diameter greater than 1 cm, surgery is considered as first choice therapy. These treatment options have shown promising results. Various modifications in the traditional techniques have reduced the recurrence rate, successfully treated the condition and shown good cosmetic results. This review article aims at providing a holistic collection of various conventional treatment modalities and novel modifications introduced, which can be used in a sequence of definitive treatments of seroma of the auricle.