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Microtia

Dr Jeremy Jones and Dr Yuranga Weerakkody et al.

Microtia refers to a small pinna of the ear. when is it completely absent it is terms anotia.

Epidemiology

The estimated incidence at around 1 : 9000 live births. It is commoner in males and there is a recognised right sided predilection.

Pathology

Associations

Microtia can be associated with a wide spectrum of inner and middle ear anomalies ¹. Isolated microtia is relatively uncommon. The most frequent associations include :

Wider organ associations include

renal anomalies
- cross-fused ectopia
- renal agenesis

Syndromic associations include

Grading

It is classified into four grades based on increasing severity

grade I : slightly small ear with identifiable structures ; external auditary canal small but present
grade II: partial or hemi-ear with a occluded or stenotic external ear canal producing a conductive hearing loss
grade III : absence of the external ear with a small peanut like vestige structure and an absence of the external ear canal and ear drum
grade IV : complete absence (anotia).

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