What Are Preauricular Pits?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Provider

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

When to See a Provider

Apreauricularpit is a tiny hole in front of the ear. Also called a preauricular sinus or fistula, it may appear more like a dimple or a piercing in an odd place. A preauricular pit occurs as a result of fusion problems during the sixth week of gestation when the ear is developing.

Preauricular pits are common. In the United States, between .1% and .9% of babies are born with a preauricular pit. The prevalence is slightly higher in other countries; for example, in Korea, the prevalence is thought to be around 1.91%.

This article discusses preauricular pits, how they form, and possible complications of having a preauricular pit.

Laura Porter / Verywell

What Does a Preauricular Pit Look Like?

A preauricular pit or opening is the beginning of a sinus tract that weaves itself underneath the skin of the ear. A sinus tract is a channel that connects the surface of the skin to a deeper part of the body.

Sometimes the tract is short and other times it can be long with multiple branches coming off and zigzagging throughout the ear tissue. It may appear only on one side or on both. The pit and tract are parts of a congenital disorder, which means they are not supposed to be present. The good news is that in most instances, the pit is benign (harmless), isn’t associated with other medical issues, and is generally not something to worry about.

1:33Click Play to Learn What to Do About Abnormal Holes Near the Ear

1:33

Click Play to Learn What to Do About Abnormal Holes Near the Ear

The external portion of the ear is called the auricle. “Preauricular” simply means “in front of the auricle.”

Why Do Some People Have It?

If both ears are affected, it’s more likely there’s a family history of this congenital condition.

How do you keep a preauricular pit clean?Preauricular pits that have no added complications can be cleaned in the same way as the rest of your body—with regular soap and water. No special attention to cleaning is necessary.

How do you keep a preauricular pit clean?

Preauricular pits that have no added complications can be cleaned in the same way as the rest of your body—with regular soap and water. No special attention to cleaning is necessary.

Risks With Preauricular Pits

While the pit itself isn’t harmful, it’s important to watch it for a couple of potential problems:

How Are Preauricular Pits Diagnosed?

Your otolaryngologist will first want to rule out the genetic syndromes sometimes associated with preauricular pits. To do this, they will examine your child’s head, ear, and neck for other problems.

To better examine the pit or other possible problems, your healthcare provider may order imaging tests, like acomputerized tomography (CT) scanormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast. These imaging tests can also help the healthcare provider rule out complications related to a preauricular pit like a cyst or an infection.

If other ear problems are found, your healthcare provider may order other tests such as a hearing test called anaudiogram.

Ultimately, if a genetic syndrome is suspected, you will be referred to other specialists who can help you manage any organ-specific problems for your child.

Learn More About Congenital Conditions

How Are Preauricular Pits Treated?

Preauricular pits that are not infected don’t typically need to be repaired or closed, although they won’t close on their own. Sometimes, however, they can become infected or develop a cyst. When this happens, there are a number of treatment options, including:

If a pit gets infected frequently, surgical removal is indicated. The pit and tract must be completely removed, or it will recur.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

A preauricular pit doesn’t require treatment unless certain symptoms develop. These symptoms can indicate a developing infection or a cyst:

Summary

A preauricular pit is a common condition that is present at birth. People with this condition have a tiny hole in the front of the ear. It usually does not cause any problems and only requires treatment if it becomes infected or a cyst develops. When this happens, treatment options range from antibiotics to incision and drainage.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim MS, Choi SW, Lee SH, Lee JW, Lee IW, Lee HM.Surgical treatment of preauricular sinus in children: Temporalis muscle fascia anchoring suture.Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;138:110340. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110340Yoo H, Park DH, Lee IJ, Park MC.A surgical technique for congenital preauricular sinus.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2015;16(2):63-66. doi:10.7181/acfs.2015.16.2.63Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Preauricular pits.Gupta R, Agrawal A, Poorey VK.Preauricular sinus: a clinicopathological study.Int J Res Med Sci.2015;3:3274-7. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20151175Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Presentation of preauricular sinus and preauricular sinus abscess in southwest Nigeria.Int J Biomed Sci. 2013;9(4):260–263.Rataiczak H, Lavin J, Levy M, Bedwell J, Preciado D, Reilly BK.Association of recurrence of infected congenital preauricular cysts following incision and drainage vs fine-needle aspiration or antibiotic treatment: a retrospective review of treatment options.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;143(2):131-4. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.2988

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim MS, Choi SW, Lee SH, Lee JW, Lee IW, Lee HM.Surgical treatment of preauricular sinus in children: Temporalis muscle fascia anchoring suture.Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;138:110340. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110340Yoo H, Park DH, Lee IJ, Park MC.A surgical technique for congenital preauricular sinus.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2015;16(2):63-66. doi:10.7181/acfs.2015.16.2.63Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Preauricular pits.Gupta R, Agrawal A, Poorey VK.Preauricular sinus: a clinicopathological study.Int J Res Med Sci.2015;3:3274-7. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20151175Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Presentation of preauricular sinus and preauricular sinus abscess in southwest Nigeria.Int J Biomed Sci. 2013;9(4):260–263.Rataiczak H, Lavin J, Levy M, Bedwell J, Preciado D, Reilly BK.Association of recurrence of infected congenital preauricular cysts following incision and drainage vs fine-needle aspiration or antibiotic treatment: a retrospective review of treatment options.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;143(2):131-4. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.2988

Kim MS, Choi SW, Lee SH, Lee JW, Lee IW, Lee HM.Surgical treatment of preauricular sinus in children: Temporalis muscle fascia anchoring suture.Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;138:110340. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110340Yoo H, Park DH, Lee IJ, Park MC.A surgical technique for congenital preauricular sinus.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2015;16(2):63-66. doi:10.7181/acfs.2015.16.2.63Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Preauricular pits.Gupta R, Agrawal A, Poorey VK.Preauricular sinus: a clinicopathological study.Int J Res Med Sci.2015;3:3274-7. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20151175Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Presentation of preauricular sinus and preauricular sinus abscess in southwest Nigeria.Int J Biomed Sci. 2013;9(4):260–263.Rataiczak H, Lavin J, Levy M, Bedwell J, Preciado D, Reilly BK.Association of recurrence of infected congenital preauricular cysts following incision and drainage vs fine-needle aspiration or antibiotic treatment: a retrospective review of treatment options.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;143(2):131-4. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.2988

Yoo H, Park DH, Lee IJ, Park MC.A surgical technique for congenital preauricular sinus.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2015;16(2):63-66. doi:10.7181/acfs.2015.16.2.63

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.Preauricular pits.

Gupta R, Agrawal A, Poorey VK.Preauricular sinus: a clinicopathological study.Int J Res Med Sci.2015;3:3274-7. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20151175

Adegbiji WA, Alabi BS, Olajuyin OA, Nwawolo CC.Presentation of preauricular sinus and preauricular sinus abscess in southwest Nigeria.Int J Biomed Sci. 2013;9(4):260–263.

Rataiczak H, Lavin J, Levy M, Bedwell J, Preciado D, Reilly BK.Association of recurrence of infected congenital preauricular cysts following incision and drainage vs fine-needle aspiration or antibiotic treatment: a retrospective review of treatment options.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;143(2):131-4. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.2988

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What Does a Preauricular Pit Look Like?#

Click Play to Learn What to Do About Abnormal Holes Near the Ear#

Why Do Some People Have It?#

How do you keep a preauricular pit clean?#

Risks With Preauricular Pits#

How Are Preauricular Pits Diagnosed?#

How Are Preauricular Pits Treated?#

When to See a Healthcare Provider#

Summary#