Cryptotia

Cryptotia is the condition where an ear appears to have its upper portion buried underneath the side of the head. The condition also involves underdeveloped scapha and antihelical crura. Cryptotia is also known as buried ear or hidden ear.

Signs and symptoms
The invagination of the upper portion of the auricle beneath the auricular cartilage deformity is one of the most prevalent characteristics of cryptotia.

Diagnosis
Based on the kind of antihelix deformity and the condition of the intrinsic auricular muscle, there are two types of cryptotia. Type I cryptotia is characterized by compression of the antihelix's body and superior crus, burying the upper portion beneath the skin. The inferior crus of the antihelix is severely bent over in type II cryptotia, and the antihelix's body has contracted grossly.

Treatment
Cryptotia is often treated through surgery which involves releasing the ear from its buried position, reshaping the cartilage and using local tissue to resurface the released cartilage.

Epidemiology
Cryptotia is common amongst Asians but rare in Europeans. Based on studies the incident of cryptotia in Japan is about 1 in every 400 births.