Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis
In the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, a novel treatment was proposed for Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis (CDNH).
CDNH is a common chronic condition characterised by a painful nodule on the ear which may have accompanying crusting or ulceration.
CDNH is often difficult to treat or treatment only gives temporary benefit. Avoiding pressure is difficult to do when the lesion usually occurs on the favoured sleeping side. Surgical excision is often plagued by recurrence.
0.2 – 0.3 mL of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) was injected into the ear and found to provide significant relief from pain and clinical symptoms (including ulceration) in less than 1 – 2 weeks. Sometimes a second follow-up injection was required 2 weeks later if there was extrusion of HA material through a pre-existing ulcer.
No adverse events were noted other than the intentional visible bulging of the injected region. And these good results were achieved long term with one patient maintaining the benefit for 5 years!