Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis Treatment

Any therapy must include efforts to relieve pressure on the affected area to allow for healing. Patients who are able to sleep on the back should be encouraged to do so. Pillows should be positioned to minimize pressure on the ear. Topical therapy is rarely successful. Intralesional steroids can be effective in a minority of cases. Patients should expect some residual discomfort after injection. Surgical removal of the lesion along with the inflamed cartilage can be curative. A shave excision is directed at removing all the inflamed tissue, thus exposing the underlying cartilage. Curettage and light electrodesiccation of the base is performed, and the wound is allowed to heal by secondary intention. Definitive therapy involves surgical resection of the involved portion of the pinna. Recurrences can occur after any of the above therapies.