Pilonidal disease
| Pilonidal disease | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Pilonidal cyst, pilonidal abscess, pilonidal sinus, sacrococcygeal cyst / fistula |
| Acute pilonidal disease (abscess) in the upper gluteal cleft | |
| Specialty | General surgery, colorectal surgery |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, redness, drainage of fluid[1] |
| Usual onset | Young adulthood[2] |
| Causes | Ingrown hair in the natal cleft |
| Risk factors | Obesity, family history, greater amounts of hair (hirsutism), not enough exercise[2] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms and examination[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Hidradenitis suppurativa, perianal abscess, folliculitis[2] |
| Prevention | Shaving the area[1] |
| Treatment | Incision and drainage,[2] surgical removal |
| Frequency | 3 per 10,000 per year[2] |
Pilonidal disease is a type of skin infection that typically occurs as a cyst between the cheeks of the buttocks and often at the upper end.[1][3] Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and redness.[1] There may also be drainage of fluid, but rarely a fever.[1][2]
Risk factors include obesity, family history, prolonged sitting, greater amounts of hair, and not enough exercise.[2] The underlying mechanism is believed to involve a mechanical process where hair and skin debris get sucked into the subcutaneous tissues through skin openings called pits.[2] Diagnosis is based on symptoms and examination.[2]
If there is an infection, treatment is generally by incision and drainage just off the midline.[1][2] Shaving the area and laser hair removal may prevent recurrence.[1][4] More extensive surgery may be required if the disease recurs.[1] Antibiotics are usually not needed.[2] Without treatment, the condition may remain long-term.[1]
About 3 per 10,000 people per year are affected, and it occurs more often in males than females.[2] Young adults are most commonly affected.[2] The term pilonidal means 'nest of hair'.[1] The condition was first described in 1833.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Khanna A, Rombeau JL (March 2011). "Pilonidal disease". Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 24 (1): 46–53. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272823. PMC 3140333. PMID 22379405.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Ferri FF (2017). Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2018 E-Book: 5 Books in 1. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 995. ISBN 9780323529570. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ James WD, Berger T, Elston D (2015). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin E-Book: Clinical Dermatology. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 675. ISBN 9780323319690. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "Pilonidal Cyst Laser Hair Removal". Cure Pilonidal Cyst. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2021-08-23.