Skin tags anterior to the tragus are common. Are there concerns regarding hearing? Age for removal?
Preauricular skin tags are a common minor congenital abnormality. They may be single or multiple, pedunculated or sessile. They may be associated in ~5% of cases with hearing loss and a routine hearing evaluation is recommended. Because of the small risk of an associated renal anomaly a screening abdominal scan has also been recommended. If the child has dysmorphic features or other major anomalies then a genetic disorder must be considered and several have been described such as oculoauricularvertebral dysplasia, lambert syndrome, cat eye syndrome etc. If the tag is on a thin stalk this may be simply ligated as a minor office procedure at any time. If the tag is sessile or has a thick stalk then referral to a plastic, ENT or general surgeon is required. Cartilage may be present in the stalk and this may extend deep into the subcutaneous tissue requiring formal surgical removal at about two years of age.
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