Cysts
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Pilonidal Cysts: What Are the Risk Factors?
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
 Pilonidal cysts arise at the base of the tailbone (coccyx) of the lower back,
just above the natal cleft (the cleavage between the buttocks). Doctors
sometimes use the term pilonidal disease to refer to the range of problems that
can affect this area. In simple cases, a small, solitary cyst-like area
containing fluid is present without evidence of infection. In other cases, the
areas may become infected and filled with pus, creating a so-called pilonidal
abscess. When the condition is particularly severe, the infection can spread,
creating multiple abscesses and sinus tracts (abnormal paths of tissue
destruction). The term "cyst," which is generally used in this case, is actually a
misnomer since true cysts have a characteristic cellular lining that is lacking
in the vast majority of cases of pilonidal disease.
Small pilonidal cysts may not cause any symptoms if they do not become
infected. Symptoms and signs of a pilonidal cyst or abscess include swelling (a
localized "bump" may be noticed), pain, and redness at the base of the spine. In
the case of a pilonidal abscess, the pain and redness usually are greater, and
fever may be present.
Most experts believe that the cysts arise due to trauma to the area that
results in ingrown hairs. Pilonidal cysts often contain hair when excised, but
hair follicles have not been demonstrated in them, suggesting that the hair may
have been introduced from outside the cyst. Pilonidal disease was a common
problem among servicemen during World War II, thought to be due to the
mechanical trauma of riding in jeeps, trucks, and tanks.
What is a cyst?
A cyst is a closed, saclike structure that contains fluid, gas, or semisolid material and is not a normal part of the tissue where it is located. Cysts are common and can occur anywhere in the body in people of any age. Cysts vary in size; they may be detectable only under a microscope or they can grow so large that they displace normal organs and tissues. The outer wall of a cyst is called the capsule.
What are the causes of a cyst?
Cysts can arise through a variety of processes in the body, including
- "wear and tear" or simple obstructions to the flow of
fluid,
- infections,
- tumors,
- chronic inflammatory
conditions,
- genetic (inherited) conditions,
- defects in developing organs in the embryo.
Most cysts arise due to the types of conditions listed above and are only preventable to the extent that the underlying cause is preventable.
What are the signs and symptoms of a cyst, and how are they diagnosed?
Sometimes you can feel a cyst yourself when you feel an abnormal "lump." For example, cysts of the skin or tissues beneath the skin are usually noticeable. Cysts in the mammary glands (breasts) also may be palpable (meaning that you can feel them when you examine the area with your fingers). Cysts of internal organs
such as the kidneys or liver may not produce any symptoms or may not be detected by the affected individual. These cysts often are first discovered by imaging
studies (X-ray, ultrasound, computerized tomography or CAT
scan, and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI). Cysts may or may not produce symptoms, depending upon their size and location.
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| This is a picture of a skin cyst, one of hundreds of types of cysts. |
Next: What is the treatment for a cyst? »
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Cysts
Boils »
What is a boil? What are the symptoms of a boil?
A boil is a localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard and tender. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection-fighting white blood cells that the body sends from the bloodstream to eradicate the infection. This collection of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins is known as pus. Finally, the pus "forms a head," which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin. A boil is also referred to as a skin abscess.
There are several different types of boils. Among these are:
- Furuncle or carbuncle: This is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. A furuncle can have one or
more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills.
- Cystic acne: This is a type ...
Read the Boils article »
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