A non-traumatic, blue-purple auricle: case report

J Laryngol Otol. 2010 Jul;124(7):804-6. doi: 10.1017/S0022215109992210. Epub 2009 Dec 11.

Abstract

Objective: We report a typical case of earlobe lymphocytoma.

Method: A case report and literature review are presented.

Results: A 10-year-old girl presented with a blue-coloured earlobe. A diagnosis of Lyme disease was confirmed by serological tests. Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. It is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics.

Conclusion: The diagnostic process and ENT symptomatology of Lyme disease and borrelial lymphocytoma are summarised and discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / immunology
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ear Diseases / drug therapy
  • Ear Diseases / microbiology*
  • Ear, External
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis*
  • Lyme Disease / drug therapy*
  • Pigmentation Disorders / microbiology
  • Pseudolymphoma / drug therapy
  • Pseudolymphoma / microbiology*
  • Ticks / microbiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents