Excision of an accessory auricle in a child’s neck through a 2 mm linear incision
Liu Xuelai, Ye Mao, Xie Changhao, et al
Department of General Surgery, Capital Center for Children's Health, Capital Medical University, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
Accessory auricle, also known as auricular tag, is most commonly found in front of the auricle or on the upper edge of the auricle, with occurrences in the neck being rare. The typical presentation of a neck
accessory auricle is a skin nodule located in the middle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the affected
side. The nodule is locally raised, without secretion when pressed, and a cord-like structure can be palpated
beneath the skin, which feels firm or hard. This presentation is very similar to that of a branchial cleft fistula
in children. Preoperative ultrasound screening is difficult to differentiate between the two conditions, and
postoperative pathological diagnosis is the gold standard for distinguishing them. In January 2025, a child
with a neck nodule was treated in Department of General Surgery, Capital Center for Children's Health,
Capital Medical University. Preoperative examination revealed a subcutaneous fistula-like structure, and
ultrasound suggested a branchial cleft fistula. A neck mass excision was performed, and the pathology report
confirmed it was a neck accessory auricle. By summarizing the clinical manifestations and diagnostic methods
of neck accessory auricle, aim to enhance clinicians' understanding of this disease.
2026, Vol. 14 
