Traumatic auricular hematoma: a case report.

Traumatic recurrent auricular hematoma can be a challenging medical problem, with complications resulting in cauliflower ear. Proper management often depends on an understanding of the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of fibroneocartilage--an abnormal fibrous cartilage formation in response to injury. Traditional treatment by incision and drainage, and compression dressing technique may be inadequate in the setting of recurrent or chronic hematoma. Instead, excision of the fibroneocartilage is essential in promoting hematoma resolution and wound healing. Appropriate treatment of auricular hematoma can reduce needless cosmetic deformity and can avoid difficult secondary reconstruction. The authors present a case of recurrent auricular hematoma and review its pathophysiology and current therapy.