Presentation of preauricular sinus and preauricular sinus abscess in southwest Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
Preauricular sinus abscess is a common congenital external ear disease. This abscess is usually misdiagnosed because it is commonly overlooked during physical examination. In Nigeria, the prevalence was 9.3% in Ilorin, north central Nigeria This study is to determine the distribution and clinical presentation of the preauricular sinus abscess in Ekiti, south west Nigeria.


METHODS
This is a prospective hospital based study of all patients with diagnosis of preauricular sinus abscess seen in our clinic carried out between April 2008 to March 2010. Detailed clinical history, administered interviewer's assisted questionnaires full examination and. Data obtained were collated and analysed.


RESULTS
Preauricular sinus were noticed in 184 (4.4%) out of 4170 patients seen during the study period. Preauricular sinus abscess were noticed in 21 (11.4%) of the preauricular sinuses especially in children. Unilateral preauricular sinus abscess accounted for 90.5%. Common presenting complaints were preauricular swelling (81.0%), 90.5% with recurrent earaches, 76.2% with ear discharges. All patients had antibiotic / analgesic while 17 out of 21 (81.0%) had surgical excisions.


CONCLUSIONS
Preauricular sinus abscess were noticed among 11.4% of the preauricular sinuses especially in children, unilateral preauricular sinus abscess accounted for 90.5%. Common complaints were otorrhoea, earaches, and swelling and they were mostly managed surgically.
Department of ENT, University of Ado-Ekiti teaching hospital, Nigeria;
W A
WA
Adegbiji
Department of ENT, University of Ilorin teaching hospital, Nigeria;
B S
BS
Alabi
Department of ENT, University of Ado-Ekiti teaching hospital, Nigeria;
O A
OA
Olajuyin
Department of ENT, Lagos University teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
C C
CC
Nwawolo
Preauricular sinus; congenital malformation; preauricular sinus abscess