Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck | |
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Other names | Cervical accessory tragus, wattle, cervical tab, cervical auricle [1] |
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Drawing of a man with two cervical auricles (from the book "Evolution and disease", 1890, page 91) | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck (CCRN) is a minor and very rare congenital cutaneous condition characterized by branchial arch remnants that are considered to be the cervical variant of accessory tragus. [2] [3] It resembles a rudimentary pinna that in most cases is located in the lower anterior part of the neck. [3]
CCRN histopathology indicates the presence of elastic cartilage enclosed by various skin structures such as eccrine glands, adipose tissue, and pilosebaceous units. [4] To assess the extent of the lesion as well as look for any underlying sinus tracts, ultrasonography alongside computed tomography (CT) scans can be used. [5]
Alternative diagnoses for CCRN consist of thyroglossal duct cyst, hair follicle naevus, fibroepithelial polyp, and branchial cleft cyst. [6] Thyroglossal duct cysts are typically found in the midline of the neck, near the hyoid bone, and move with tongue protrusion or swallowing. [7] Hair follicle naevus appears as a single, skin-colored papule and can be associated with hypertrichosis. [8] Fibroepithelial polyps are soft, fleshy growths of collagen fibers and blood vessels that hang off the skin. [9] Branchial cleft cysts can manifest as cysts, fistulas, sinus tracts, or cartilaginous remnants on the front of the neck and upper chest. [5]
Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck | |
---|---|
Other names | Cervical accessory tragus, wattle, cervical tab, cervical auricle [1] |
![]() | |
Drawing of a man with two cervical auricles (from the book "Evolution and disease", 1890, page 91) | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck (CCRN) is a minor and very rare congenital cutaneous condition characterized by branchial arch remnants that are considered to be the cervical variant of accessory tragus. [2] [3] It resembles a rudimentary pinna that in most cases is located in the lower anterior part of the neck. [3]
CCRN histopathology indicates the presence of elastic cartilage enclosed by various skin structures such as eccrine glands, adipose tissue, and pilosebaceous units. [4] To assess the extent of the lesion as well as look for any underlying sinus tracts, ultrasonography alongside computed tomography (CT) scans can be used. [5]
Alternative diagnoses for CCRN consist of thyroglossal duct cyst, hair follicle naevus, fibroepithelial polyp, and branchial cleft cyst. [6] Thyroglossal duct cysts are typically found in the midline of the neck, near the hyoid bone, and move with tongue protrusion or swallowing. [7] Hair follicle naevus appears as a single, skin-colored papule and can be associated with hypertrichosis. [8] Fibroepithelial polyps are soft, fleshy growths of collagen fibers and blood vessels that hang off the skin. [9] Branchial cleft cysts can manifest as cysts, fistulas, sinus tracts, or cartilaginous remnants on the front of the neck and upper chest. [5]