[Lateral osteoma--auditory exostosis or hamartoma?].

An osteoma of the external meatus the size of a hazelnut was found in a 30-year-old man, arising from the bony edge of the external meatus near the tympanomastoid fissure. Histology showed epithelial cysts, trabeculae, blood-forming areas, fat cells, connective tissue and blood vessels. The site of origin and histological findings seem to indicate true hamartoma.