Preauricular Sinus: Presentation, Laterality Pattern, Ethnic and Gender Differences among Nigerians

Background: Preauricular sinus (PAS) is a benign congenital malformation evident as a dell, sinus, or fissure usually located at or near the root of the anterior horn of the helix. This study aims to determine the incidence, laterality pattern with ethnic and gender differences among Nigerians.

Methods: The study was a cross sectional descriptive survey conducted in March 2015 using structured questionnaire.

Results: There were total of 374 participants with their ages ranged from (3 to 80) years. Majority were Yoruba 298(79.5%) followed by Igbo 40(10.7%). Fifty respondents have preauricular sinus giving a prevalence of 13.3% and majority of the affected 32(64%) were female. Thirty four (68%) of the affected were Yoruba followed by Hausa 9 (18%). Right side was mostly affected in 25(50%) and the right dominant was seen mostly among Yoruba and Igbo while left dominant was seen among Hausa. One person had repeated surgical excision due to recurrent infections and sinus discharge while 98.0% were asymptomatic. None of the subjects with PAS was found to have dysmorphic facial features, neither auricular defects nor renal and hearing affectation.

Conclusion: Preauricular sinus has a relatively high prevalence with rare association with other congenital craniofacial or renal anomalies in our environment. There is a need for public enlightenment and more screening programmes of the disorder as well as a need for further studies to unravel the reason behind absence of associated other congenital anomalies with preauricular sinus in our environment.