Why do I have a ridge on the back of my head?
The bony growth, which is known as an “external occipital protuberance,” can be found at the back of the skull, just above the base of the neck. The role of the projection is to distribute force over a large area of the bone’s surface and it can arise at spots near ligaments, tendons, or joints.
What causes bone growth on skull?
Osteomas are benign bone tumors that typically form on the skull. Depending on where they develop, they can sometimes cause issues, such as headaches or sinus infections. Although osteomas tend to form on the skull , they can also develop on the long bones of the body, such as the shin and thigh bones.
What is occipital osteoma?
ABSTRACT. Osteomas are benign, bone-forming tumours located within bones or developing on them. In the head and neck region they are commonly seen in the frontoethmoidal region. Occipital osteomas are very rare tumours. They are often asymptomatic and are incidentally found on radiological investigations.
Is it normal to have a ridge on your skull?
The skull is not perfectly round or smooth, so it is normal to feel slight bumps and ridges. However, a dent in the head, especially if it is new, requires a trip to the doctor to determine the cause.
What is a cranial ridge?
The cranial ridges, also referred to as exo-cranial ridges or cranial plates are bony plates on the surface of the forehead on many humanoid species. Some species, such as Humans, Vulcans, and the ancient humanoids do not possess visible cranial ridges.
Do osteomas need to be removed?
They may go away on their own over time. Sometimes they will go away after treatment with NSAIDs. Osteoid osteomas commonly need treatment with surgery, CT-guided drill resection, or radiofrequency ablation.
What do osteomas feel like?
When symptoms are present, they vary according to the osteoma’s location within the head and neck, and are usually related to compression of the cranial nerves. Such symptoms may include disturbances in vision, hearing and cranial nerve palsies. Larger osteoma may cause facial pain, headache, and infection.
What does a bone spur feel like?
Symptoms of Bone Spurs Pain in the affected joint. Pain or stiffness when you try to bend or move the affected joint. Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs if the bone spur presses on nerves in your spine. Muscle spasms, cramps, or weakness.
What is an osteoma?
An osteoma is a new piece of bone usually growing on another piece of bone, typically the skull. When the bone tumor grows on other bone it is known as “homoplastic osteoma”; when it grows on other tissue it is called “heteroplastic osteoma”.
Should I worry about osteoma?
While osteomas are not cancerous, they can sometimes cause headaches, sinus infections, hearing issues or vision problems – however, many benign osteomas don’t require treatment at all. If treatment is needed, your doctor may prescribe surgery, pain relievers, or other minimally invasive techniques to provide relief.
What does an osteoma feel like?
Osteoid osteomas tend to be painful. They cause a dull, achy pain that can be moderate to severe. The pain is often worse at night.