У 76-летнего мужчины на ухе обнаружены безобидные узлы, вызванные многолетним воздействием солнца

Slideshow - Slide A 76-year-old man presents to the dermatology clinic for evaluation of 2 firm lesions on his left ear. He reports first noticing them several months ago. The lesions are asymptomatic and without pain, pruritus, bleeding, or prior trauma. The patient has a history of significant sun exposure. His past medical history is unremarkable. Physical examination reveals 2 well-circumscribed, firm, subcutaneous nodules on the helix of the left ear. The overlying skin is intact without erythema, scale, or ulceration, and the lesions are non-tender. The remainder of the skin examination is unremarkable. A weathering nodule is a benign, firm, subcutaneous lesion typically located on the auricular helix, predominantly affecting elderly individuals with chronic sun exposure.2 Clinically, these nodules are asymptomatic, firm, and well-circumscribed. They typically measure several millimeters in diameter and often arise... Submit your diagnosis to see full explanation. A weathering nodule is a benign, firm, subcutaneous lesion typically located on the auricular helix, predominantly affecting elderly individuals with chronic sun exposure.2 Clinically, these nodules are asymptomatic, firm, and well-circumscribed. They typically measure several millimeters in diameter and often arise spontaneously without preceding trauma or inflammation.2 Histologically, weathering nodules exhibit a distinctive pattern characterized by a spur of fibrous tissue containing focal cartilage metaplasia.1,3 The precise pathogenesis of weathering nodules remains incompletely understood. However, chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure and age-related degenerative changes are believed to play significant roles.2,4 Unlike chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis, weathering nodules are painless and not typically associated with inflammation or tenderness.4 Basal cell carcinoma and seborrheic keratosis can be distinguished by characteristic histologic features, location, and clinical appearance. Basal cell carcinoma typically presents as pearly papules with telangiectasias, whereas seborrheic keratosis appears as hyperpigmented, “stuck-on” lesions.2 Keloids are excessive growths of fibrous tissue resulting from trauma and typically extend beyond the boundaries of the initial injury site.2 Weathering nodules do not generally require treatment due to their benign nature. However, education on sun protection and regular monitoring for additional sun-induced skin lesions are recommended.2,4 Austin Tran, BS, is a medical student at the Baylor College of Medicine. Yelena Dokic, MD, is a dermatology resident at the Baylor College of Medicine. References - Johnston RB, Patterson JW. Weedon’s Skin Pathology Essentials. Elsevier; 2017. - Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2024. - Kavanagh GM, Bradfield JW, Collins CM, Kennedy CT. Weathering nodules of the ear: a clinicopathological study. Br J Dermatol. 1996;135(4):550-554. - Udkoff J, Cohen PR. A report of 10 individuals with weathering nodules and review of the literature. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(4):433-436. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.185715