Acquired Pathology of the External Ear

The external ear includes the auricle (or pinna) and the external auditory canal (EAC) and is anatomically demarcated from the middle ear by the tympanic membrane. Due to its superficial location, the external ear is easily accessible to direct clinical examination, and imaging studies are not routinely indicated for initial assessment. However, radiological exams become essential when a lesion obscures the whole EAC precluding adequate visualization or when there is suspicion of bony erosion, complications, or poor response to therapy. This chapter aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of the main acquired disorders affecting the external ear (EE), from the wide spectrum of the inflammatory disease and their potential complications to the most common neoplastic and traumatic lesions.