title: Pigmented nevus of the external auditory canal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the clinical experience during an 18-year period of a series of 11 cases of pigmented nevus of the external auditory canal (EAC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective medical review of 11 consecutive patients with lesions seen in 2 departments of otolaryngology in Taiwan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  12 pigmented nevi, 2 to 12 mm (average, 6.4 mm) in diameter, were excised under otomicroscopy, and the EAC was packed with a temporary Penrose stent. One large lesion developed a postobstructive external auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC). Histopathologic examination revealed 11 intradermal nevi and 1 compound nevus. There have been no recurrences or stenoses of EACs after 3 months to 17 years (average, 6 years) of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If a pigmented nevus causes symptoms, especially when it is large enough to obstruct the lumen of the EAC and has the possibility of developing into an EACC, it should be excised.
  
  
  METHODS
  C-4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei Medical University, University Hospital, 252 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 110, Taiwan. fplee@tmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Fei-Peng
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004424:Ear Canal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors