title: [Calcification of auricular cartilages in adrenal insufficiency].
abstract: Calcification of the auricular cartilages is a very rare finding observed in metabolic disorders like Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency or diabetes. Its aetiology and physiopathological mechanisms remain unclear. It may be caused by exposure to cold or trauma in the cartilage but in a significant number of cases, ossification occurs without the identification of the precipitating cause or event. We present the clinical and pathologic findings of a patient suffering from Addison's disease who developed auricular bilateral calcification. The literature is reviewed and the physiopathological hypotheses discussed.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Francesc de Borja, Gandía, Valencia, España. miquelagut@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Miquel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Agut Fuster
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Agulles Fornés
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrer Rodríguez
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ramos Martínez
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: del Campo Biosca
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Viel Martínez
mesh_terms: D000224:Addison Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography