Pilonidal sinus disease

Question 1

What is Pilonidal sinus disease?

Answer 1

Disease of the anorectal region where there is formation of a sinus in the cleft of the buttock

Question 2

What causes Pilonidal sinus disease?

Answer 2

hair follicle in the intergluteal cleft becomes infected or inflamed, this inflammation obstructs the opening of the follicle which extends inwards and forms a pit , this causes a foreign body type reaction and leads to formation of a cavity, this is connected to the surface of the skin by epitheleialised sinus tract

Question 3

Who does Pilonidal sinus disease most commonly affect?

Answer 3

caucasian maes with coarse dark body hair who sit for long periods, increased sweating, obesity, poor hygiene, trauma

Question 4

What are the clinical features of Pilonidal sinus disease?

Answer 4

Intermittent, red, swollen, painful, mass in the sacrococcygeal region, with discharge, will open onto the skin but will not communicate with the anal canal

Question 5

What imaging is done for Pilonidal sinus disease?

Answer 5

Rigid sigmoidoscopy, MRI scan of the natal cleft and buttock

Question 6

What is the management for Pilonidal sinus disease?

Answer 6

shaving the affected region, antibiotics if septic, drainage and washout, if chronic then removal of the pilonidal sinus tract