Chondrodermatitis nodularis pathology

Histology of chondrodermatitis nodularis

Scanning power view of chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis shows a wedge-shaped dermal alteration extending through to the superficial cartilage (Figure 1). The epidermis may show a focal zone of orthokeratosis and scale crust overlying moderate epidermal hyperplasia (Figure 2). Frequently there will be superficial epidermal ulceration. There is a zone of eosinophilic fibrinoid material overlying the affected area of cartilage, with the blurring of the superficial cartilage and altered staining (Figure 3). There may be adjacent perichondrial thickening.

Figure 1 

Figure 2 

Figure 3 

Differential diagnosis of chondrodermatitis nodularis

Pseudocyst of the auricle: while there may also be hyalinised degeneration above the affected collagen, a non-epithelial lined cystic space forms within the collagen in pseudocyst of the auricle.