Dermatoses of the Concave Pinna

Atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis are the most common dermatoses affecting the concave pinna. Severe diseases affecting the ear canal, whether they are primary or secondary, can result in lesions of the concave pinna around the ear canal opening, such as the following:

• Pain, erythema, erosion, ulceration and crusting in cases of bacterial otitis externa

• Pruritus, seborrhea, and lichenification in cases of Malassezia otitis externa (Figure 12-16)

• Skin hyperplasia and lichenification in cases of hyperplastic changes secondary to chronic ear inflammation

Figure 12-16

Malassezia dermatitis in the inner pinna of a German Shepherd with hypothyroidism.