Localization of Auricular Projection Area of the Liver and Its Use in the Monitoring of Viral Hepatitis

Background： Pathology of an internal organ causes significant rectification of electrical currents （diode phenomenon） in related skin areas once the resistance ＇breakthrough effect＇ has been induced in the skin. Objective： Localization of auricular projection area of the liver and evaluation of its usefulness in the monitoring of viral hepatitis. Design, Patients and Setting： Comparative study of the degree of electrical rectification measured at various spots in the auricular concha region, in 19 inpatients with hepatitis B and 15 clinically healthy volunteers, at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Provincial Teaching Hospital, Tychy, Poland. Intervention： Evaluation of electrical rectification at various spots on the auricular concha using a ＂rectification ratio＂ that quantifies the degree of rectification （normal range： 0-60%）. Main outcome measure： The location of the skin area where a statistically significant difference existed between the rectification ratios was observed in patients （82±12% at the time of the ＇peak period＇） versus controls （42±8%）. Results： A location was identified on the ear auricle where the electrical rectification phenomenon demonstrated a dependence on the presence of hepatitis. Conclusions： Liver projection area exists on the ear auricle which is located within the region of cymba conchae, next to anthelix and the cavity of concha. The existence of viral hepatitis causes this skin area to show a higher degree of electrical rectification once the skin resistance ＇breakthrough effect＇ has been induced. Evaluation of the rectification phenomenon of the liver proiection area provides a method of non-invasive monitoring of viral hepatitis.