[The ossification of the ear cartilage in Addison's disease].

Abstract

Stiffening and tenderness of the helix of the ear, with radiologically demonstrable calcific deposits, has been reported in various conditions such as frostbite, and also in Addison's disease. To a total of 14 clinical observations with only 4 well documented cases, a first autopsy report of the disorder in a case of tuberculosus Addison's disease is added. It is shown that the elastic cartilage of the pinna, of the epiglottis and of the trachea undergoes ossification without preceding dystrophic or metastatic calcification. The ossification has been observed only in males with longstanding Addison's disease treated exclusively with mineralocorticoids over a long period. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. An important factor seems to be the long-standing glucocorticoid deficiency.