Description

A dimple sacrum is an indentation or dimple in the skin in the lower part of the back that is present at birth in some babies. It is usually just above the crease between the buttocks. Most sacral dimples are harmless and don't need treatment.

A dimple sacrum can be a sign of a serious problem in the column, in a newborn if the nodule is large or appears near a tuft of hair, skin tag or lump discolored area. In these cases, your doctor may recommend an imaging test. If a spinal problem is found, the treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Symptoms

A dimple sacrum is an indentation or dimple in the skin in the lower part of the back. Usually located just above the crease between the buttocks.

Causes

There is No known cause for a dimple sacrum. It is a congenital condition, which means it is present at birth.

Risk factors

Risk factors for sacral dimples include being born with a problem in the spinal cord such as tethered cord syndrome. In this condition, the spinal cord does not hang freely within the spinal canal. Sacral dimples can also be present in infants without other health conditions.

Complications

Rarely, sacral dimples are associated with a severe abnormality of the vertebral column or the spinal cord. Examples include:

  • Spina bifida. A very mild form of this condition, called spina bifida occulta, occurs when the spinal column does not close properly around the spinal cord, but the cord is maintained within the spinal canal. In most cases, spina bifida occulta causes no symptoms and require no treatment.
  • The tethered cord syndrome. The spinal cord normally hangs freely within the spinal canal. The tethered cord syndrome is a disorder that occurs when the tissue connected to the spinal cord of the limits of their movements. Signs and symptoms may include weakness or numbness in the legs and bladder or bowel incontinence.

The risks of these problems of the spine to increase if the dimple sacrum is accompanied by a nearby tuft of hair, skin tag or in the bulk, and certain types of skin discoloration.

Diagnosis

A dimple sacrum is diagnosed with a physical exam, usually during a baby in the first test. If the dimple sacrum is large or appears near a tuft of hair, skin tag or in bulk, or certain types of skin discoloration, your doctor may suggest imaging tests to check for problems with the spinal cord.

These tests may include:

  • Ultrasound. This non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to produce images of body structures.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If more detail is needed, your doctor may recommend an mri , which uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create cross-sectional images of the body. This method requires the medication to prevent the child from moving during the scan. This is called sedation.

Treatment

The treatment is unnecessary for a simple dimple sacrum.

Preparing for your appointment

In general, your child does not need to see a health care provider for a dimple sacrum. If you have questions about the dimple sacrum, also can bring these to your child's routine office visits.

Some questions that you can ask your doctor include:

  • Does my child need any kind of tests to ensure that there is no other cause?
  • The area need any special cleaning or care?
  • It is a treatment that is necessary?
  • It is a dimple sacrum always associated with the most severe of conditions?
Symptoms and treatment of the dimple Sacred