title: Nitroglycerin patch for the treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis: a new therapeutic option.
abstract: Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis (CNH) is an inflammatory process that affects the skin and cartilage of the ear. At present, there are many treatment options, although they are not always effective. Based on previous studies where nitroglycerin 2% gel was used, we propose the use of nitroglycerin patches. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nitroglycerin patches in treating CNH. We performed a prospective study in 11 patients diagnosed with CNH treated with nitroglycerin patches 5 mg, 12 hours a day for 2 months. The therapeutic effectivity was determined by the improvement in the appearance and symptoms of the lesion. Seven of 11 patients (63.6%) had a complete response. One of 11 patients (9%) did not respond completely and surgical treatment was performed. Two of 11 patients (18.1%) stopped the treatment because of headache. One of 11 patients (9%) did not complete the treatment because the said patient forgot to apply the patch every night. Transdermal nitroglycerin has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of the symptoms and lesional appearance of CNH noninvasive manner. The success rate is comparable with other published methods and the rate of adverse effects is acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology and Venereology Department, Virgen de Las Nieves Hospital, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garrido Colmenero
authors.forename: Eliseo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez García
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blasco Morente
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tercedor Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D057968:Transdermal Patch; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005996:Nitroglycerin
keywords: chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis; nitroglycerin patch; transdermal nitroglycerin