Where is the pilonidal sinus located?

Where is the pilonidal sinus located?

A pilonidal sinus is a small hole or tunnel in the skin at the top of the buttocks, where they divide (the cleft). It does not always cause symptoms and only needs to be treated if it becomes infected.

How does pilonidal sinus occur?

The exact cause of pilonidal cysts isn’t clear. But most pilonidal cysts appear to be caused by loose hairs that penetrate the skin. Friction and pressure — skin rubbing against skin, tight clothing, bicycling, long periods of sitting or similar factors — force the hair down into skin.

What is difference between pilonidal sinus and fistula?

The main distinguishing feature compared to a perianal fistula is that a pilonidal sinus does not communicate with the anal canal; if there is any uncertainty on initial inspection, a rigid sigmoidoscopy or MRI imaging can be performed to assess for any internal opening of a tract.

What does a pilonidal sinus look like?

A pilonidal sinus affects the natal cleft, which is the top of the crease of the buttocks, just under the tailbone. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the level of infection. If people have a pilonidal sinus, they may have the following symptoms: small dimple in the skin.

How deep is a pilonidal sinus?

This usually places the tracking follicle approximately 5-8 cm from the anus. In the rarer instance that the sinus is located caudally, it is usually found 4-5 cm from the anus.

How serious is a pilonidal sinus?

While the cyst is not serious, it can become an infection and should therefore be treated. When a pilonidal cyst gets infected, it forms an abscess, eventually draining pus through a sinus. The abscess causes pain, a foul smell, and drainage. This condition is not serious.

Can a pilonidal sinus turn into a fistula?

In literature it is also reported another condition from which can arise an anal fistula: the pilonidal disease. This etiology occurs very infrequently, when the sinus reaches the anal region and simulates an anal fistula (4–6).

Is pilonidal cyst and pilonidal sinus same?

A pilonidal cyst (also called pilonidal cyst disease, intergluteal pilonidal disease or pilonidal sinus) is a skin condition that happens in the crease of the buttocks — anywhere from the tailbone to the anus. A pilonidal cyst can be extremely painful especially when sitting.

Can a person live with pilonidal sinus?

Many can live a lifetime with a pilonidal sinus without PSD, even if they are hirsute. It is coarse, thick hair that will create PSD when it glides over the surface of the lower back and upper buttocks and pierces through the cutaneous barrier at the base of a pilonidal sinus funnel.

Can you leave a pilonidal sinus alone?

Treating a pilonidal cyst infection Most pilonidal cysts are left alone. But if a cyst becomes infected, treatment is needed.