Frank's sign explained

Frank's sign is a diagonal crease in the ear lobe extending from the tragus across the lobule to the rear edge of the auricle.[1] The sign is named after Sanders T. Frank.[1]

It has been hypothesised that Frank's sign is indicative of cardiovascular disease[2] [3] and/or diabetes.[4] Some studies have described Frank's sign as a marker of cardiovascular disease but not linked to the severity of the condition.[5] In contrast, other studies have rebutted any association between Frank's sign and coronary artery disease in diabetics.[6] There have also been reported cases of Frank's sign being a predictor of cerebral infarctions.[7] A link between Frank's sign and premature aging and the loss of dermal and vascular fibers has also been hypothesized.[8] Some studies have focused on association between bilateral earlobe crease and coronary artery disease.[9] It is probably prudent to consider Frank's Sign alongside other clinical markers of physiological ageing, rather than utilising it as a stand-alone sign in the identification of coronary artery disease.[10]

Severity

Notable individuals with Frank's sign

External links

Notes and References

  1. Frank ST . Aural sign of coronary-artery disease . N. Engl. J. Med. . 289 . 6 . 327–8 . August 1973 . 4718047 . 10.1056/NEJM197308092890622.
  2. Mallinson . Tom . Brooke . David . Frank's Sign as a clinical marker of cardiovascular disease . Journal of Paramedic Practice . 2017 . 9 . 1 . 8–10 . 10.12968/jpar.2017.9.1.8 .
  3. Miot, H.A., Molina de Medeiros, M. etal (2006). Association between coronary artery disease and the diagonal earlobe an preauricular creases in men. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. vol.81 no.1
  4. Web site: Earlobe Crease And Heart Disease – Fact Or Myth? . Abel Healthcare . 13 August 2014 . 8 February 2015 . Mustafa Ahmed, M.D..
  5. Lesbre JP, Castier B, Tribouilloy C, Labeille B, Isorni C . [Frank's sign and coronary disease] . fr . Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris) . 36 . 1 . 37–41 . January 1987 . 3827155 .
  6. Davis TM, Balme M, Jackson D, Stuccio G, Bruce DG . The diagonal ear lobe crease (Frank's sign) is not associated with coronary artery disease or retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study . Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine . 30 . 5 . 573–7 . October 2000 . 11108067 . 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2000.tb00858.x.
  7. Nazzal . Saleh . Hijazi . Basem . Khalila . Luai . Blum . Arnon . Diagonal Earlobe Crease (Frank's Sign): A Predictor of Cerebral Vascular Events . . April 28, 2017 . 130 . 11 . 1324.e1–1324.e5 . 28460854 . 10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.03.059 . free .
  8. Frank's Sign . George Griffing, M.D. . The New England Journal of Medicine . March 2014 . 370 . 15 . e15. 10.1056/NEJMicm1213868. 24597888.
  9. Evrengül H, Dursunoğlu D, Kaftan A, etal . Bilateral diagonal earlobe crease and coronary artery disease: a significant association . Dermatology . 209 . 4 . 271–5 . 2004 . 15539887 . 10.1159/000080847 . 26858693 .
  10. Mallinson TE, Brooke D. Limited Diagnostic Potential of Diagonal Earlobe Crease. . Ann Emerg Med . 2017 . 70 . 4 . 602–603 . 28946988 . 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.06.013 . free .
  11. Web site: Frank's Sign – Diagonal earlobe crease (DELC) . July 2, 2015 . Stanford Medicine . January 1, 2021 .
  12. Web site: Dick Van Dyke (age 92), Premiere Of Disney's 'Mary Poppins Returns' - Arrivals . Livingston . David . November 29, 2018 . gettyimages.com . Getty Images . November 30, 2018.
  13. News: If you have this mark on your ear, it could be a warning you have heart disease . March 27, 2018 . . Jessica . Lindsay . January 1, 2021 .
  14. News: Deep Forehead Wrinkles May Suggest Heart Disease Risk . August 29, 2018 . . Daliah . Wachs . Daliah Wachs . January 1, 2021 .

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