Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia of the external ear canal

J. W. Thompson, M. Colman, C. Williamson and P. H. Ward

Angioblastic lymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, or Kimura's disease, is a clinically and histopathologically recognized entity that is characterized by cutaneous nodules, proliferating blood vessels with atypical histiocyte-like endothelial cells, and numerous eosinophils. It has been treated with steroids and by surgical excision, irradiation, cryotherapy, and electrodesiccation. Persistent residual disease and local recurrence are frequent. We review the literature and report two cases that involve the ear. We present the histopathologic and clinical results of laser removal of a conchal and external canal lesion.