Solitary Congenital Nodule of the Ear

REPORT OF A CASE  A 5-month-old male infant had been born with a firm nodule on the helix of his left ear (Fig 1). In addition, he had a small congenital nevus of the left middle part of his back (1 cm in diameter). Physical examination revealed a 3-mm oval, firm, white nodule on the helix of his left ear. Shave excision demonstrated focal collections of calcium in the dermis surrounded by histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells (Figs 2 and 3). Serum calcium and phosphorus levels as well as results of renal studies were normal.What is your diagnosis?

DIAGNOSIS:  Solitary congenital calcified nodule of the ear.

DISCUSSION  In 1952, Winer¹ described three cases of solitary congenital nodular calcifications of the skin. Since then, only a few scattered reports have appeared.² Speculations about the histogenesis have revolved around the calcification of preexisting