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Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis – a conservative therapeutic approach by decompression
Author(s) -
KuenSpiegl Marlene,
Ratzinger Gudrun,
Sepp Norbert,
Fritsch Peter
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07572.x
Subject(s) - medicine , etiology , asymptomatic , surgery , conservative treatment
Summary Background: Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis is a rather common condition which substantially affects quality of life causing pain and sleeping disturbances. Surgical treatment is connected with a tendency to recurrence. Mechanical pressure is probably the main etiological factor. Patients and Methods: A prospective study was performed with 18 patients that were offered a non‐surgical treatment using a self‐made bandage of foam plastic which they applied during the night. Of these, 12 performed the treatment including follow‐up; 6 patients initially also consented, but they did not return after the initial visit. Results: 11 patients reported substantial reduction of pain within the first month; after an average of 1.75 months they were free of pain. All 8 patients with initial sleeping problems caused by pain reported undisturbed sleep after only one month. In 11 patients the lesions receded satisfactorily, in 9 patients completely, in 2 patients leaving small asymptomatic residual lesions. Recurrences appeared in 3 patients with 2 of them having been surgically pretreated at the same location. Conclusions: We recommend conservative treatment using protective padding as first line treatment for chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis. The successful outcome achieved only by relief of pressure supports pressure as the main etiological factor in the development of the disease.