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What Causes Excessive Sweating In Sacral Dimple?

Posted on Tue, 7 Jul 2015

Question: My 10 year old son seems to sweat a lot in the coccyx area when playing sport. He has a small hole above his anus (coccygeal pit or sacral dimple). It cause him to continually touch his butt which looks bad.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This is a sacral dimple with a probable sinus - needs work up

Detailed Answer:
Hi...I just read through your question.

This is a sacral dimple with a probable sinus - needs work up

I have a few questions for you -

1. Is there any weakness of lower limbs?
2. Is it there since birth?
3. Did he have any meningitis in the past since birth?
4. Does he have unexplained vomiting?
5. Does his head look larger than his peers (in comparison)?
6. At any point of time did he have seizures?
7. How is his achieving of developmental milestones of walking and talking?

Revert back to me with answers and I will be glad to guide you further.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

1. No weakness of lower limbs
2. Yes, he has had it since birth, it was the pediatrician who pointed it out.
3. No meningitis
4. No vomiting
5. Head looks normal size
6. No seizures
7. He walked at a normal age (12 months) but was a tiny bit slow to start long sentences.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It requires MRI spine and screening of brainn

Detailed Answer:
Hi...it might be a sacral dimple or a sinus which might be extending to the spinal cord. It needs to be known who much interior the extension is. This is the reason why I am telling that it might require an imaging of the spine.

Once it is known 100% that there is no internal attachment to it or a sinus tract, we can be rest assured.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (20 minutes later)

But what are the possible causes of the sweating from the sacral dimple (if that is what it is). It only occurs during sport and exercise. Does the sweating imply there could be an attachment to a sinus tract? And what are the possible implications of these scenarios.

Why would a brain screening be required?

We are going to Fiji for 8 days on Friday but will book in to our local doctor on our return.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on sweating

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

1. Usually when there is a sacral dimple, the hair follicles will be more in that area which in some kids might present as tuft of hair. Even if this is not the case here the seat glands might be more in that region. This could be the reason for excessive sweating.

2. Sweating does not imply that there is a sacral sinus tract.

3. Brain screening might be required because in some cases where there is a spinal cord anomaly there can be excess fluid in the brain or hydrocephalus which might be unrecognized unless an imaging is done.

4. Implications of this scenario of a sinus tract is that - it is a risk factor for meningitis or it can cause some weakness of lower limbs.

I suggest you see your local pediatrician and get the imaging - preferably MRI done.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar