[Accessory external ear in the oropharynx].

This report describes the case of a one-day old girl with an accessorial ear lobe in the region of the left soft palate. The girl was referred to us by the children's clinic because of shortness of breath and difficulties in swallowing. On inspecting the cavity of the mouth and the pharynx a pedunculated, ball-shaped, whitish, membranous tumour was identified. The size of the tumour was comparable to a cherry, hanging down from the left velum into the pharynx. It was possible to remove the tumour from its base by using the sling technique. The operation itself did not present any complications. The histological observation revealed a dystopical ear lobe. 13/4 years later, an oto-rhino- laryngological examination diagnosed normal hearing and faculty of speech. The origin as a surplus malformation of the embryological branchial archs is discussed. Due to the morphological result differentiation from a teratoid malformation is possible.