Among all kinds of benign neoplasms, one can distinguish a disease such as a coccyx cyst. This phenomenon occurs in one person out of five hundred. Under this pathology, doctors mean several types of subcutaneous disease, which develops in the form of a cavity with walls, inside of which there is pus. A cyst for a long time does not show any symptoms, the first signs of its development are formed when an inflammatory process occurs. In this case, a person complains of pain and discharge from the coccygeal canal. This disease is considered to be a congenital pathology, which is most often observed in men.
Description of the problem
The coccyx cyst is a congenital malformation of the skin, developing as a result of weakening of the muscles of the coccygeal zone. The neoplasm is presented in the form of a narrow epithelial cavity, which has walls and an external outlet and is not connected with the sacrum and coccyx. The exit channel of the cyst is a microscopic hole that is localized in the middle of the gluteal fold and does not reach the anus. In the cyst cavity, gland secretions, parts of the hair and epithelium enter and accumulate there. With its inflammation, the ducts begin to become clogged, the contents of the channel begin to fester, filling the capsule cavity with pus.
This pathology for a long time does not show symptoms, so a person may not know about it. With trauma, an infectious or inflammatory disease, the cyst becomes inflamed, and a pain syndrome develops. Usually a cyst on the tailbone is diagnosed in men under the age of thirty; in some cases, the disease can be observed in women.
Types of disease
This pathology can have several varieties:
- The epithelial coccygeal passage is formed in the subcutaneous fat layer of the epidermis.
- Fistula of the tailbone is the last stage of inflammation of the cyst.
- The pilonidal sinus develops in the event of hair getting under the skin.
- The coccyx dermoid cyst is a tumor that has a distinct capsule. It is located in the middle of the intergluteal fold, passing into the subcutaneous fat. With its suppuration, a fistula is formed, through which a liquid with an admixture of pus flows. When the canal is blocked, it becomes infected and inflamed.
The course of the disease can take several forms:
- Uncomplicated form, in which a small discharge of pus is observed from the opening of the cyst, while the skin does not swell. The human condition is assessed as satisfactory.
- The complicated form is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation in remission. A person has a pain syndrome, the skin swells, an abscess develops. When the surgeon opens the cyst or breaks it independently, a significant improvement in the patient's condition is observed.
Causes of the disease
The coccyx cyst (photo above) is formed during embryonic development, therefore, acts as a birth defect. The most common causes of pathology include the following:
- increased hairiness on the body;
- trauma to the coccyx and sacrum;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- inflammatory processes in the sacrum;
- hypothermia;
- infectious disease accompanied by high body temperature;
- violation of the immune system;
- hereditary predisposition;
- lack of hygiene;
- the appearance of diaper rash.
Symptoms and signs of the disease
For a long time, the coccyx cyst does not show any symptoms. As the inflammatory process progresses in it, a person begins to experience pain, redness and itching are noted in the coccyx. Over time, a swelling appears, which causes pain and discomfort, gradually it grows in size. When a significant amount of pus accumulates in the cavity of the cyst, its outlet opens and a purulent fistula appears.
At this stage of development of the tailbone cyst, the symptoms are manifested in the form of a throbbing pain, which significantly hinders the movement, sometimes a person can not sit and lie on his back. Against this background, he develops psychological discomfort. In severe cases, an increase in body temperature and the development of eczema, paraproctitis is possible. If untreated, in some cases, a purulent cyst can cause the development of a cancerous tumor.
As long as there is an infection in the cyst, pus will constantly accumulate in it. Thus, the disease will recur. Due to constant inflammation, scars appear on the skin.
For the first time, inflammation of the cyst occurs at the age of twenty-five years, but there are cases when such a phenomenon is observed in infants and adolescents.
When complications occur, a fungal skin disease, pyoderma, and even an oncological tumor often develop. To prevent the occurrence of negative consequences, it is recommended to timely perform surgical removal of the coccyx cyst. Otherwise, a full recovery does not occur, since a chronic focus of infection is present in the body. After some time, the disease recurs, contributing to the development of fistula and abscess. During remission, a person has small discharge, pain and discomfort in the pathological area.
Diagnostic measures
The coccyx cyst is diagnosed simply. The main sign of cyst development is the primary fistula, which is located in the middle of the intergluteal fold at a distance of four centimeters from the anus. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the location of the pathological process.
First, the doctor examines the medical history, interviews the patient and conducts an examination. On examination, purulent discharge from the fistula can be detected.
As an obligatory diagnostic method, sensing of the fistulous course acts. In this case, the doctor does not identify the connection between the fistula and the rectum, therefore, makes an accurate diagnosis. Using sounding, a physician differentiates pathology from abscess, acute paraproctitis, pararectal fistula, osteomyelitis of the sacrum and tailbone.
In addition, often the patient is assigned a pelvic radiography, sigmoidoscopy of the rectum. When confirming the diagnosis, the doctor develops the tactics of surgical treatment, depending on the variety and stage of development of the cyst.
Drug treatment
With an uncomplicated disease, cyst therapy is possible without the use of surgical intervention. In this case, a cyst on the tailbone in men involves treatment with the use of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, eliminate inflammation and the focus of infection. Often used depilation cream to eliminate hair in the coccyx and sacrum in order to facilitate the course of the disease.
When a coccyx cyst, the symptoms and treatment of which is discussed in detail in this article, involves the use of antibacterial drugs, certain difficulties may arise. Typically, the diagnosis of the type and type of pathogenic microorganisms requires an integrated approach; it is not always possible to pay for numerous studies to identify the pathogen. Therefore, usually the doctor prescribes strong drugs with a wide spectrum of action, the use of which can provoke the development of side effects. Most often, the cure does not last long, the disease is prone to relapse. Therefore, when diagnosing a "coccyx cyst," surgery is the only effective treatment method.
Surgery
Doctors say that drug treatment does not give lasting positive results, the disease appears again after a while. Each subsequent relapse can be more difficult, often the infectious process spreads to healthy tissues. For a complete recovery, surgical intervention is necessary. Each patient is recommended an operation to remove the coccyx cyst.
The cyst is removed in the surgical department of the clinic. The operation is performed during the period of remission of the pathology. In severe cases, treatment can be carried out with an exacerbation of the disease. Usually the whole procedure lasts about one hour, the operation is performed under general anesthesia.
In the acute form of pathology, the doctor performs an autopsy of the abscess, its drainage. After the disappearance of inflammation, surgery is performed. Full recovery is possible if the cyst and all its branches are removed. Usually the procedure is easily tolerated, the rehabilitation period takes about one month.
Coccyx cyst: operation
Before the intervention, it is necessary to make an enema so that the pathogenic flora does not fall into an open wound, thereby provoking the development of complications. In addition, after surgery it is often problematic to go to the toilet.
Coccyx cyst treatment involves various surgical techniques. The doctor chooses a method for removing the neoplasm depending on the location of its course, as well as the form and stage of the disease. The following surgical methods exist in surgery:
- The operation with leaving an open wound is carried out in severe cases. This method eliminates the risk of relapse. The recovery period after the intervention is at least two months.
- Wound closure surgery is less traumatic. This technique is used for remission of pathology. In this case, the doctor excises the cyst, sutures and leaves drainage. Two weeks later, the stitches are removed. The recovery period is one month.
- The Bascom technique involves excising the cyst in the direction from the primary opening to the secondary stroke. Then sutures are applied and drainage is left.
- The Karidakis technique involves the removal of a cyst along with a section of healthy skin. This method makes it possible to reduce the risk of complications and is characterized by a short recovery period.
Rehabilitation
Doctors insist during the rehabilitation period to adhere to the following recommendations:
- For twenty days you can’t sit and lie on your back.
- Avoid overcooling and overheating. Daily rinsing with warm water is the area between the buttocks after removal of the sutures.
- For thirty days you can not engage in physical activity.
- Six months is recommended to perform depilation in the field of surgical intervention.
- Have a doctor check regularly.
When surgery leaves an open wound, the patient should visit a doctor for dressings. After the operation, the doctor prescribes antibacterial and painkillers. Perhaps the appointment of physiotherapy.
Complications and consequences
With untimely or ineffective treatment, the cyst provokes the development of complications. Among them:
- the appearance of multiple fistulas;
- abscess development;
- purulent inflammation of the cyst;
- eczema of the skin;
- the formation of new passages with secondary holes in the genitals or rectum;
- the development of a cancerous tumor.
Patient Reviews
Tailbone cyst reviews are positive with timely removal. The operation to remove the pathology is simple, in addition, it has an affordable cost. Some patients resort to surgery in extreme cases, when the disease begins to significantly reduce the quality of life.
Others note the development of unpleasant symptoms after surgery and removal of the cyst. Particularly difficult to tolerate daily dressings, which were accompanied by excruciating pain. But after injecting painkillers, the condition improved.
Many people with this problem say that in provincial cities, operations are much cheaper. It depends on the stage of development of the disease.
Forecast and Prevention
The prognosis of the pathology is favorable. After successful removal of the cyst, relapses do not occur. In the case of drug treatment of the disease, relapses are always observed. But even with an untimely appeal to a medical institution, complications can be eliminated with the help of surgical intervention and medications. But in this case, the rehabilitation period will be much longer.
Since the coccyx cyst is a congenital anomaly, it is not possible to prevent its development. For the prevention of the disease, it is recommended to follow the rules of hygiene, wear loose clothing, lead a healthy lifestyle, getting rid of addictions, monitor your body weight. Timely diagnosis and removal of the cyst in order to prevent the development of a chronic form of pathology makes it possible to eliminate the risk of relapse and guarantees a complete cure for the disease. During the operation, the doctor must completely remove all elements of the cyst and its strokes, protect the wound from the ingress of hair particles, and prevent premature fusion of tissues with the help of a tamponade of the entire wound. Such measures make it possible to exclude the return of the disease after surgery.