This is a rare condition, it usually presents as a cystic swelling in the lateral surface of pinna, and it forms with in a degenerate cartilage as a cystic space and has no lining epithelium but contains straw-colored fluid. It is thought to be due to congenital embryonic dysplasia as it was found to have intracartilaginous fibrous tissue with blood vessels. It has a high incidence of recurrence and increased risk of perichondritis.

In our institute we had few patients who had similar presentations and some of these patients had come with recurrence following repeated aspiration done elsewhere. There are various modalities of treatment. We prefer a WINDOW OPERATION which is performed under local anesthesia. A circular incision given on the skin of the swelling and the perichondrium is incised taking care not to damage the cartilage, the fluid is drained and this flap of skin and the perichondrium is excised leaving the cartilage exposed, medicated gauze is placed in the concha and a firm mastoid dressing is done. The dressing is not removed for 4 days and a course of antibiotic given. In this operation the chance of recurrence is very less as the perichondrium gets adhered to the cartilage and the skin defect gets epithelialised. However some thickening of the underlying cartilage takes place.