Dent In Skull (Top of the Head | Forehead | Back of the Head) – Causes

What are the causes of a dent in the skull on top of the head or dent in the skull on the back of the head?

The skull is a complicated mechanical construction that consists of 28 bones, connected by sutures of different structural types – from teeth-like hardness to smooth (face cranium).

The neurocranium forms the cranial cavity, which protects and surrounds the brain. It is formed from the occipital bone, two parietal bones, two temporal bones, ethmoid and frontal bones, and the sphenoid.

Dent In Skull – Causes

Every skull has a unique shape, and many have dents.

Below are 7 causes of a dent in the skull:

#1 Head Injuries

Trauma to the head can cause different surgical and medical problems, ranging from mild to severe. Every year, head injuries result in tens of thousands of emergency hospitalizations and room visits in the US.

Head injuries caused by a blow to the head are typically associated with:

• falls;
• motor vehicle accidents;
• physical assaults;
• accidents at work, home, outdoors, mountain climbing, or while playing specific sports.

Concussions are the most frequent type of sports-related head injury, with over 3 million sports-related concussions every year. Common symptoms of a head injury may include:

• lightheadedness;
• seizures;
• coordination or balance problems;
• nausea;
• a spinning sensation;
• abnormal eye movements;
• temporary ringing in the ears;
• vomiting;
• an inability to focus the eyes;
• a loss of consciousness;
• memory loss;
• a persistent headache;
• changes in mood;
• leaking of clear fluid from the nose;
• a loss of muscle control;
• serious disorientation.

Prevention

To help prevent head injuries, try the following suggestions:

• helmets or headgear should be worn at all times for – horseback riding, wrestling, skiing, baseball, skateboards, powered recreational vehicles, hockey, snowboard, football, soccer, and cycling;
• provide adequate lighting, particularly on stairs;
• never drive under the influence of alcohol;
• do not place obstacles in walking pathways;
• use an appropriate child safety seat;
• wear a seatbelt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle;
• clean any spillages to prevent someone from slipping over.

#2 Metastatic Cancer

Metastatic cancer is a type of cancer that has spread from the part of the body where it started to other parts of the body. Metastases to the skull are very frequent in people with a disseminated skeletal metastatic disease, however, they are usually asymptomatic.

Cancer cells which spread from other parts of the human body can form 2 main types of bone tumors:

• the tumor may stimulate the bone to form and build up abnormally. These areas of new bone are unstable and weak and may collapse or break;
• the tumor may eat away areas of bone, creating holes. This can make bones weak and fragile, hence, they fracture or break easily.

#3 Congenital Depressions

Congenital depressions of the neonatal skull are rare in Western countries. According to statistics, they occur in 1 in 10 000 neonates.

The precise cause is usually unknown, however, it has been suggested that, due to the cartilaginous nature of the fetal skull, compression by the maternal pelvis or fetal limbs during delivery could result in skull deformation.

Note – theoretically, a depression of more than 5 mm may impinge on the cerebral cortex, leading to localized compression of the brain with resultant decreased blood flow and cerebral edema.

ALSO READ: E401 Pill vs Adderall

#4 Chiari Malformation

Chiari malformations are structural defects in the base of the skull and cerebellum. This results in the compression of parts of the spinal cord and brain, which disrupts the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

More exactly, when part of the cerebellum extends below the foramen magnum (a large oval opening in the occipital bone of the skull) and into the upper spinal canal, it is called a Chiari malformation.

Chiari malformations are named after an Austrian pathologist, Hans Chiari, who first identified the condition in 1891. Chiari malformations are commonly detected coincidently among individuals who have undergone diagnostic imaging for unrelated reasons.

The prevalence in the general population has been estimated at one in 1000. The majority of these cases are asymptomatic. However, when symptoms occur, they may include:

• dizziness;
• neck pain;
• depression;
• vomiting;
• balance or hearing problems;
• problems with hand coordination and fine motor skills;
• muscle numbness or weakness;
• insomnia (sleep problems);
• a curvature of the spine;
• ringing or buzzing in the ears;
• difficulty speaking or swallowing.

ALSO READ: Euflexxa vs Synvisc

#5 Lipoma on the Scalp

Another possibility of a skull dent is that you have a small cyst or fatty tumor under the skin of your scalp.

Lipoma is a fatty formation, that can be formed subcutaneously, to affect the internal organs and mucous membranes. It is not known exactly what causes subcutaneous lipoma to occur. Nevertheless, middle-aged women and men tend to get them more, plus, they run in families.

Note – they usually do not pose any health danger.

ALSO READ: Optimind vs Adderall

#6 Hypervitaminosis A

Vitamin A is actually the name of a group of fat-soluble retinoids. Vitamin A is recognized for its effects on cell growth, healthy vision, and immune function.

Many foods contain retinol, including – dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, shellfish, eggs, or liver sausage.

Note – fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids that must be converted into retinol by the body. Good sources of carotenoids include:

• sweet potatoes;
• broccoli;
• beet greens;
• broccoli raab;
• kale;
• spinach;
• oranges;
• clementines;
• apricots;
• podded peas;
• lettuce;
• tomatoes;
• papayas;
• spinach;
• red cabbage;
• red onions;
• red hot chili peppers;
• red sweet peppers;
• mangoes;
• pink grapefruits;
• cantaloupe;
• winter squash;
• pumpkin;
• carrots.

Vitamin A toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis A, happens when you have too much vitamin A in your body.

Note – hypervitaminosis A can only occur if you intake to many animal products or take vitamin A supplements because the body converts only the quantity of retinol it needs from carotenoids.

Signs and symptoms of hypervitaminosis A may include

• peeling skin;
• headaches;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• drowsiness;
• irritability;
• easy fractures;
• dizziness;
• abdominal pain;
• arthralgia;
• loss of appetite;
• cortical hyperostosis of the bone;
• vomiting;
• nausea;
• weakness.

ALSO READ: Blastocystis Hominis – 10 Home Remedies

#7 Gorham’s Disease

Gorham’s disease, also referred to as vanishing bone disease (due to the loss of the affected bone), is a bone disorder described by bone loss, usually associated with abnormal blood vessel growth. Bone loss can occur in just one bone or spread to soft tissue.

The condition is thought to be non-hereditary and can potentially occur in any age group. The symptoms of vanishing bone disease depend upon the specific bones involved. An early sign of Gorham’s disease is swelling and pain near the affected region without any precise cause.

The spine, ribs, skull, pelvis, jaw, and collarbone are the most frequently affected bones.

Outlook

In the case of a skull dent, there are a few things that need to be reconstructed for your skull deformity.

Typically working with a neurosurgeon and a craniofacial surgeon as a team will help give you the best and safest result.

READ THIS NEXT: Premsyn PMS vs Midol

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4294410/
https://www.med.unc.edu/neurology/files/documents/chil
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5624275/