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Skull indentation in adults has the potential to occur to anybody. If this happens, it requires medical attention. But why would it happen? What can we do about it if we experience this situation? Generally speaking, our skulls differ from one another. The skull is neither perfectly round nor smooth. We all typically have our bumps and ridges in our heads. However, if you suddenly noticed a dent in your head, then you need to see your doctor right away.
Meanwhile, what else should we know about this skull indentation aside from a need to visit the doctor? Fortunately, this article can give us details about this skull condition. We will be able to grasp information that can enlighten us about skull indentation. Let’s go and further explore the article.
What is Skull Indentation?
A skull indentation is typical when it comes to dents and irregularities in the head. These indentations are simple variations from our heads’ anatomy. However, if these variations occurred out of nowhere, it could indicate a serious medical condition.
In this case, patients should proceed to their doctor’s office immediately. The doctor can check the potential cause of the sudden appearance of dents or bumps in the head. Afterward, they can recommend the most appropriate treatment for the condition.
The Causes of Skull Indentation
A dent in the head or skull depression may arise from various underlying causes. It can be a medical condition, genetic, or an injury from an accident. Meanwhile, this article stated a few of the potential reasons for skull indentation.
1 Depressed Skull Fractures
Skull fractures have four types. Among these four, depressed skull fractures are the most to appear looking like a dent in the head. A skull fracture often occurs as a result of experiencing a blow or impact on the head. In effect, the skull often crushes toward the brain, requiring immediate attention from a doctor.
An indentation with no broken bones often occurs among babies. But since the brain is beneath the skull, it can incur an injury after a fracture. It may also lead to having a bruise on the brain, called a contusion. Additionally, a swollen black-and-blue area may also occur on the skin. Other symptoms can occur from a skull fracture, including the following.
- Headaches
- Vision impairment
- Balance problems
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Confusion
Overall, experiencing head injuries is something no one should neglect. These head injuries need a doctor’s checkup to see if there are no hidden problems beneath the visible areas of the head. They might request a CT scan to check the actual condition of the skull fracture.
2 Brain Surgery
If a person has undergone surgery involving the brain, some cases of it may leave a dent in the skull. One of the surgeries that leads to this condition is craniectomy. It involves removing a part of the skull bone, reducing the pressure that causes the swelling. However, the surgeons can still work out this dent once the swelling already subsided.
3 Congenital Skull Indentation
Congenital skull indentations are dents that are already present since birth. This skull depression on a baby’s head often occurs as a result of head trauma during delivery. Furthermore, skull depressions in babies develop depression in the bone. On the negative side, it can also cause brain injuries in some babies.
4 Tumors
It is an unusual condition, but various bone tumors can cause skull deformities and dents. Even benign tumors can cause these indentations in the skull. In this case, an individual experiencing a skull tumor may have the following symptoms.
- Bone pain
- Swelling
- Bone deformity
- A painless mass or lump
5 Gorham’s Disease
Generally speaking, Gorham’s disease is a sporadic health condition. It can occur to individuals at any age. Furthermore, Gorham’s disease is an issue involving bone loss and abnormal blood vessel development. This rare condition can affect any bones in our body. It mostly happens in the skull, ribs, or pelvis.
The following are the signs and symptoms associated with Gorham’s disease.
- Pain in bones
- Swelling
- Decreased mobility
- Generalized weakness
6 Paget’s Disease
Paget’s disease is a bone disease that comes next to osteoporosis. It is a condition wherein there is an interference in the body’s ability to replace old bone tissue. Furthermore, an abnormal bone can develop relative to the errors in the bone remodeling process.
Additionally, the effects of this bone disease may involve new bone generation in incorrect locations or removing an old bone from where it should be. As a result, it can lead to other issues, such as bone weakness, arthritis, a dent, or a fracture. The patient with this condition might need surgery, depending on the severity.
Patients with this condition often do not experience symptoms. Additionally, they may also think of these symptoms for other bone disorders, such as arthritis.
7 Vitamin A Toxicity
It is indeed necessary to have a sufficient amount of vitamin A inside the body. In effect, we can maintain the immune system in a healthy condition. However, too much of this vitamin can become toxic for the body and lead to adverse effects.
Generally speaking, the primary source of vitamin A toxicity is an excessively high dosage of vitamin A supplements. During this period, the body may experience bone softening, including the skull. It will then lead to the occurrence of indentation in the head.
What To Do?
Skull depressions and other sources of indentations in the head can cause various issues that may affect the whole body. Aside from that, a dent in the head is an alarming condition, which can also be life-threatening.
Whatever the reason could be, it would be best to visit the doctor as soon as possible. You can expect the doctor to require you to have a bone scan, X-ray, and/or CT scan. These tests can help your doctor determine the cause of the dent in your head before deciding the best treatment option.
Generally speaking, the doctor is the only person who can help you address the situation. Several medical conditions can occur if you will not receive any treatment for the dent or a sudden change of shape in your head.
A doctor’s diagnosis is essential for the patient to know the exact condition of their head and why there is a dent in it. In general, a dent may suddenly appear and can have significant effects on our overall health.
Treatment Options
The medical treatment of a dent in the head depends on its cause. Some causes may not require any treatment at all, such as vitamin A toxicity. A reduction of vitamin A supplements intake can already solve this problem. Below is another condition that may not need any treatment.
A baby’s head can also experience an injury during birth. The baby can get this depression from a forceps injury. Fortunately, it does not require any medical treatment. In this case, the dent in the head of the baby can resolve by itself in about four months.
But then again, some cases of congenital skull indentation may require helmet therapy. There are also some instances that the baby will need to undergo surgery to correct their skull shape. The doctors need to ensure that the baby’s brain will have enough room to develop.
Treatment for Depressed Skull Fractures
Meanwhile, for depressed skull fractures, the patient may need to undergo a surgical operation. The process will involve removing bone fragments from the surrounding area of the brain. The doctor has to do this to prevent the patient from incurring brain damage. Aside from that, the doctors may also advise the patient to take medication for pain relief and antibiotics to prevent infection.
Treatment for Gorham’s Disease
The doctor may recommend radiation therapy and vitamin D supplements to treat this medical condition. Besides that, they may also conduct surgical removal and reconstruction of the affected areas in the head to regain the shape. They might even recommend bone grafting surgery.
Treatment for Paget’s Disease
Doctors may recommend medications and surgery for this medical condition. Relative to the surgical operation, the doctor might advise the intake of drugs to reduce the activity of this disease. In effect, they can reduce blood loss while the procedure is ongoing. Additionally, they may also suggest lifestyle and home remedies that can reduce the risk of complications.
Skull Indentation in Adults and Young Ones
Head injuries and other causes of indentation require a proper diagnosis from the doctor. A patient’s condition can become severe if they do not get any treatment as soon as possible. It would be best to find the exact causes of the dent to ensure the proper treatment.
Aside from that, some of the causes of indentations are rare. So, immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent a more severe problem in the long run. Serious health issues may arise if the condition prolongs.
Therefore, once you notice any signs and symptoms, book your appointment with your doctor. Let them make their diagnosis and check your health. Never disregard any incidents involving your head. It can be hiding serious matters underneath. Not now. Not ever.
References:
What to do about a dent in the head, Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D., November 19, 2019, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327042
Causes of Head and Skull Shape Abnormalities and How to Treat Them, Kathryn Watson, Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D., Updated October 21, 2019, https://www.healthline.com/health/dent-in-head
