Sonography of the ear pinna.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to assess the scope of sonography for the diagnosis of diseases of the external ear.

METHODS

We developed a description of the sonographic anatomy of the normal ear pinna, including the thickness of the normal cartilage and lobule, through systematic scanning of the external ears of 11 healthy volunteers (2 male and 9 female), and reviewed clinical cases with pathologic entities.

RESULTS

Reproducible and recognizable images were collected from normal as well as pathologic cases of the external ear. Images are presented for reference.

CONCLUSIONS

Sonography permits good visualization of the internal structure, including the cartilage, and it is possible to use sonography as a method of study to differentiate between inflammation, vascular lesions, and tumors.