Sacral Dimple: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

A sacral dimple is a pit or indentation in the lower back skin that some babies are born with. It's usually right above the crease in the buttocks. The majority of sacral dimples are benign and don't need to be treated.

A serious spinal problem may be indicated if a newborn's sacral dimple is noticeable or appears near to a hair tuft, skin tag, lump, or discolored area. Your child's doctor may occasionally recommend an imaging test. If a spinal problem is found, the treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause.

Causes Of Sacral Dimple

Unknown factors can result in a sacral dimple. It is congenital if it is present from birth.

Symptoms Of Sacral Dimple

Sacral dimples are only visible as the indentation. The dimple is shallow and usually found in or near the crease of your baby's buttocks.

Rarely, do certain sacral dimples point to a spinal cord or spine problem. In certain cases, your child's physician may recommend that you see a specialist for further evaluation. The following symptoms may be present in a sacral dimple that suggests a concomitant spinal issue:

• A strand of hair nearby.
• A small bit of extra skin.
• Bruising or discoloration of the skin nearby.

The majority of sacral dimples are benign and don't need to be treated. If the sacral dimple points to a more serious problem, your child's physician will discuss treatment options with you.

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How Is The Sacral Dimple Different From The Pilonidal Dimple?

Your lower back region also has pilonidal dimples, commonly known as pilonidal cysts. However, a pilonidal cyst is a spherical sac of tissue that may be air or fluid-filled. The cyst may enlarge and hurt if it becomes infected. If a pilonidal cyst is not treated, it may result in an enlarged pus pocket (abscess).

You do not have pilonidal cysts at birth. After birth, they grow. The majority of teenagers and young adults with pilonidal cysts were designated male at birth. This is because perspiration and coarse body hair can facilitate the growth of bacteria.

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Diagnosis Of Sacral Dimple

Babies with a sacral dimple are usually diagnosed through physical tests. If the sacral indentation is large and develops with a surrounding tuft of hair, skin tag or lump, or certain forms of skin discoloration, your doctor may suggest imaging testing to check for spinal cord abnormalities.

These tests might include the following:

• Ultrasound: This non-invasive method uses sound waves to produce photographs of the internal organs.
• Magnetic resonance imaging is referred to as MRI: Your doctor may recommend an MRI if further information is needed. This test creates cross-sectional images of the body by fusing radio waves with a powerful magnetic field. One approach includes giving the child medicine to keep them motionless throughout the scan. This is what we call sedation.

Treatment Of Sacral Dimple

The majority of sacral dimples are benign and don't need to be treated. If the sacral dimple points to a more serious problem, your child's physician will discuss treatment options with you.

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Complications Of Sacral Dimple

Occasionally are sacral dimples associated with a serious underlying malformation of the spine or spinal cord. Take into consideration, for instance:

• Spina bifida: A milder form of this condition known as spina bifida occulta occurs when the spinal cord remains within the spinal canal but the spine is unable to completely encircle it. Usually asymptomatic, spina bifida occulta does not require medical attention.
• Syndrome of the cord tethering: The spinal cord can hang freely within the spinal canal in normal circumstances. When tissue restricts the spinal cord's movement, a disease known as tethered cord syndrome occurs. Possible indications and symptoms include weakness or numbness in the legs, as well as incontinence of the bowel or bladder.

These spinal problems are more likely if there is a skin tag, lump, or hair tuft near to the sacral dimple, as well as certain types of skin discoloration.

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