Many people have slight bumps and ridges in their skulls or dents in their heads from birth. This can be typical, but a new dent or hollow could be due to an injury or health condition that needs medical attention.
If a dent occurs after a blow to the head, dial 911 right away. Do not try to drive to the hospital.
For new indentations that did not occur after an injury, people should speak with a doctor. They can perform an examination and determine the cause.
In this article, we explore the possible causes and symptoms of a dent in the head. We also explain when a person needs to consult a doctor and the possible treatment options.
Many people have mild dents, bumps, and ridges in the shape of their skulls. To an extent, this is natural.
Dents that have been present a long time, do not change, do not occur with any other symptoms, or do not develop due to a blow to the head can be due to natural variations in bone structure.
However, if a new dent appears or the shape of the skull changes, this could be a sign of an underlying condition.
Below are some other potential causes.
Skull fractures occur due to a blow or impact to the head. Injury to the skull can occur after any direct force, such as a car accident, fall, or physical assault.
An injury to the brain, known as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), can sometimes accompany a skull fracture, but not always. The symptoms may include:
- headaches
- impaired vision
- balance problems
- nausea or vomiting
- dizziness
- confusion
Sometimes, people with head injuries may lose consciousness.
Treatment
Any head injury requires treatment from a doctor to assess the severity. If there is a dent, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately.
Doctors will assess the person by asking questions about what happened, performing a physical examination, and using tests to determine if they have a fracture, a TBI, or both.
Skull fractures can require surgery to repair them.
A congenital skull depression is a dent in the head that is present from birth. This can occur due to the baby’s head resting against bone while inside the uterus or due to trauma to the head during delivery from fingers, forceps, or a suction device.
Marks and indentations from labor often get better on their own over time. The parts that comprise a baby’s skull have not fused yet, so their head shape often changes as they grow up.
However, babies sometimes have more substantial injuries during delivery, such as fractures. This is rare, but it can be serious.
Treatment
Generally, head indentations that occur due to mild injuries during birth do not need treatment. They will generally get better on their own.
For more serious injuries, doctors will perform a CT or MRI scan to assess whether there is a fracture, bleeding, or other complications. Depending on what they find, they may suggest monitoring and allowing it to heal. Alternatively, they may recommend other treatments, such as surgery.
Certain types of brain surgery may leave a small dent in the skull.
For example, a craniectomy involves removing a piece of the skull bone. This removal might be necessary to reduce pressure on the brain from conditions that cause swelling.
Surgeons will restore the removed portion of the skull once the swelling has gone down, which can resolve the dent.
Additional side effects following brain surgery vary depending on the reason for the operation.
Although
This applies even to benign or noncancerous tumors, such as fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma.
Symptoms of a skull tumor may include:
- bone pain
- swelling
- visible bumps or a mass
Treatment
Treatment for bone tumors on the skull will depend on whether the growth is cancerous or noncancerous.
For noncancerous tumors that grow slowly, doctors may suggest monitoring. If it causes no further issues, it may not require treatment. However, if it gets bigger or causes symptoms, healthcare professionals may suggest surgery.
For cancer, treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Gorham-Stout disease is a very rare condition that involves bone loss and atypical blood vessel development. The loss of bone can lead to an indentation in the skull.
Although it can occur at any age, it is most common in young adults and children.
Gorham-Stout disease can affect any of the bones in the body, though it typically involves the skull, ribs, or pelvis. The symptoms may include:
- bone pain
- swelling
- decreased range of motion
- generalized weakness
Treatment
Treatment for Gorham-Stout disease involves managing the condition and reducing complications. Options may include drugs to slow the progression, radiation therapy, and vitamin D supplements. In some circumstances, a doctor might also recommend surgery.
A dent in the head may be alarming. If a person develops a new dent in their head, they need to speak with a doctor as soon as possible.
If an indentation develops after trauma to the head, immediate evaluation is necessary. Some head injuries, including skull fractures, can be life threatening.
Dial 911 right away if a person has:
- a dent in the skull after a blow to the head
- a black eye despite no injury directly to the eye
- vomiting
- clear fluid coming from the nose or ears
- difficulty with balance, walking, or talking
- problems with hearing or vision
- numbness or weakness anywhere on the body
- difficulty staying awake
- lost consciousness, even if only temporarily
People who may have head injuries or neurological conditions should not attempt to drive. Instead, they need to call for an ambulance.
Skull shape varies naturally from person to person, and some people may notice they have small dents, ridges, or bumps on their scalp, though this can be natural.
However, a new dent in the head can be a sign of a condition, such as a head injury, or rare health issues.
If a person has concerns about a dent in their head, they need to speak with a doctor. It is especially important to seek medical attention if additional symptoms are present, such as nausea, confusion, or dizziness.