ARGON-LASER THERAPY FOR CHONDRODERMATITIS -NODULARIS-CHRONICA-HELICIS

In 5 years 19 patients with a total of 16 painful ear nodules (chondro dermatitis helicis) have been treated as follows. A small excision is carried out with local anaesthesia for histological examination. The r est of the nodule or any other nodules are carbonized by means of the argon laser, also with local anaesthesia, including the surface of the cartilage under the nodules. There have been no cases of postoperativ e inflammation or infection. New nodules occurring several months afte r treatment have been successfully treated in the same way. There have been no real recurrences. The cosmetic result is very good in all cas es. The patients are free of pain immediately after the laser therapy. Laser therapy for painful nodules of the ear has good and lasting res ults, with a lower rate of recurrences than any other form of treatmen t.