Clinical analysis of seborrheic keratoses in the ear: a retrospective study and literature review

The pathogenesis of a seborrheic keratosis has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we reviewed the literature to increase the awareness of this disease among otolaryngologists and to stress the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment. This was a retrospective study in seven patients presenting with seborrheic keratoses in the ear. We included only those patients in whom keratoses were confirmed by pathology after a complete excision. In six patients, seborrheic keratoses were observed in the external auditory canal, and in one patient, they were observed in the auricle. The subtype of keratoses was classified as acanthotic in six patients; one patient had an unclassified type associated with basal cell carcinoma. Seborrheic keratoses are benign skin tumors; however, the lesions can recur after removal. Moreover, an association between seborrheic keratoses and malignant skin tumors has been reported. Therefore, otolaryngologists should consider a complete removal and histological examination of seborrheic keratoses.