Cryptotia is a malformation of the ears that is also known as "buried ear" or "hidden ear." This condition is a congenital deformity that causes the upper third of the ear to be hidden underneath the skin of the scalp. Typically, the cartilage of the ear is present, but is trapped beneath the temporal epidermis. Cryptotia is the fourth most common type of ear deformity in newborns. While this condition typically does not affect hearing, it can make wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses nearly impossible and significantly impact a child's self-esteem. Dr. Charles Thorne can perform surgical treatments for patients suffering from cryptotia at his New York City practice. These treatments involve minimal recovery and scarring and can provide effective results.

Cryptotia of the left ear causing cartilage to be hidden under temporal skin. Surgical results (right) freed the cartilage and recreated the auriculocephalic sulcus.

Cryptotia Causes and Effects

The cause of cryptotia is not known, but is not believed to be inherited or caused by other conditions. It has been considered that this deformity is caused by anomalies in the intrinsic transverse and oblique auricular muscles. The condition has also been present in patients suffering from Fraser cryptophthalmos syndrome and trisomy 18. While cryptotia is not particularly common, it has been shown to be more common in babies of Asian descent. In Japan, for example, as many as 1 in 400 babies is born with the condition. This is a significantly higher ratio than is present in predominantly Caucasian populations.

Cryptotia is typically obvious from birth. While some doctors or parents may believe the infant has ears that are smaller than average, physical examinations and pulling on the ear can reveal cartilage beneath the skin. In some cases, the upper cartilage of the ear will also be deformed. Cryptotia typically results in vertical deficiency while horizontal development is rarely affected. One of the major signs of the condition is the lack of an auriculocephalic sulcus, or the groove between the ear and the skull.

Treatments and Therapies

While cryptotia may not affect hearing, it could make wearing glasses difficult if they are needed later in life. Parents should also take into consideration the impact it could have on the child’s self-esteem. If treated early, typically within months of birth, non-surgical molding techniques can often effectively treat the condition without scarring. However, in children four and older, surgical procedures may be necessary to achieve the best results.

Typically, children who are four years of age or older can undergo surgical treatment with Dr. Thorne and his team at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Surgical treatment of cryptotia aims to:

1. Release cartilage from under the skin
2. Restore the auriculocephalic sulcus
3. Recontour cartilage
4. Cover released portions of cartilage with local skin or grafts

Typically, children who are four years of age or older can undergo surgical treatment with Dr. Thorne and his team at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Schedule a Consultation

If your child was born with cryptotia, contactour office online or call (212) 794-0044 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Thorne can evaluate your child’s ears and determine the most appropriate techniques to correct the condition.

There are many abnormalities and imperfections in ear shape that are congenital (present at birth). Ears can be overly protruding or have an unusual shape or both. These conditions can be treated effectively through ear surgery or otoplasty. If detected at birth and treated within the first few weeks of life, many of these conditions can be treated non-surgically with ear molding.

What is ear molding?

Ear molding is a type of non-surgical treatment that is performed right after birth. This treatment decreases the likelihood and sometimes eliminates the need for corrective surgery when the child is older.  

The ears develop during the first 4 weeks of fetal gestation.  If that process does not occur completely, then various forms of underdeveloped ears may be present at birth. One of these conditions is called anotia and reconstructive ear surgery (the most major form of otoplasty) can help.

What is Anotia?

Anotia is the most extreme form of microtia. Microtialiterally means “little ear” and can be just that - a little ear - or it can refer to almost complete absence of the ear with the presence of only a nubbin of tissue where the ear would normally be. Anotia refers to the complete absence of any ear remnant at all. Microtia is quite common but anotia is extremely rare; there is almost always some evidence of an ear. These conditions most commonly affect one ear (90% of the time) and much less commonly affect both ears (10% of the time). When the outer, visible portion of the ear is underdeveloped, the ear canal and eardrum are usually absent and the middle ear is also usually underdeveloped, resulting in hearing loss on that side.