Is it normal to have a dent in your head after brain 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.

Should I be worried about a dent in my head?

Dents in your skull can be caused by trauma, cancer, bone diseases, and other conditions. If you notice a change in your skull shape, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Take note of any other symptoms, like headaches, memory loss, and vision difficulties, that could be connected to a dent in your skull.

What does a dent on your head mean?

A dent in the head can be worrisome, especially if it is new, painful, or changing. These bumps can be a result of a natural, harmless scalp or skull deformity, or they can be caused by disease or trauma.

Does a head dent go away?

Headphone dents typically last only for a few minutes to a few hours at most. So, if they're still present for more than a day, that may already be a cause for concern. If you're convinced that you do have a dent on your skull, it's best to seek help right away.

What causes indentation on forehead?

Indentations may occur because of some muscle pulling, but they most often occur because of loss of tissue. Loss of tissue can happen when someone has bumped his or her head and gets a hematoma (accumulation of blood). Indentations may also occur with fat atrophy.

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Why does my head have a soft spot?

These soft spots are spaces between the bones of the skull where bone formation isn't complete. This allows the skull to be molded during birth. The smaller spot at the back usually closes by age 2 to 3 months. The larger spot toward the front often closes around age 18 months.

Does everyone have a soft spot on head?

All babies are born with two soft spots (fontanelles) on their heads: The larger soft spot (anterior fontanelle) is toward the front of the head, and the smaller soft spot (posterior fontanelle) is toward the back.

What should soft spot look like?

Caring For Your Baby's Fontanelles

Your baby's fontanelles should look flat against their head. They should not look swollen and bulging or sunken down into your child's skull. When you gently run your fingers over the top of your child's head, the soft spot should feel soft and flat with a slight downward curve.

How do I know if my soft spot is sunken?

A baby's soft spots should be relatively firm and curve ever so slightly inward. A soft spot with a noticeable inward curve is known as a sunken fontanel.

When should I be concerned about a sunken soft spot?

Less often, it can appear to be concave, or sunken. It's okay if it curves inward slightly to the touch. But if the soft spot is significantly sunken, it's usually a sign that your baby is dehydrated and needs fluids immediately.

What does an indented soft spot mean?

A sunken fontanel occurs when the soft spot on a baby's skull becomes more deep set than usual. One of the major causes is dehydration. The human skull is made up from several bones that are connected by tough fibrous tissue called sutures.

What happens if soft spot doesn't close?

Soft spot that doesn't close

If the soft spot stays big or doesn't close after about a year, it is sometimes a sign of a genetic condition such as congenital hypothyroidism. What you should do: Talk to your doctor about treatment options.

When do cranial sutures close?

At birth, the sutures decrease in size (molding) and allow the skull to become smaller. In children, the suture enables the skull to expand with the rapidly growing brain. The suture will close and fuse around age 24.

Do adults have fontanelle?

They stay connected throughout adulthood. Two fontanelles usually are present on a newborn's skull: On the top of the middle head, just forward of center (anterior fontanelle)

How old do babies speak?

Most children speak their first word between 10 to 14 months of age. By the time your baby is a year old, he or she is probably saying between one to three words. They will be simple, and not complete words, but you will know what they mean. They may say “ma-ma,” or “da-da,” or try a name for a sibling, pet, or toy.

What happens if you poke the soft spot?

Many parents worry that their baby will be injured if the soft spot is touched or brushed over. The fontanel is covered by a thick, tough membrane which protects the brain. There is absolutely no danger of damaging your baby with normal handling. Don't be afraid to touch, brush over, or wash over the soft spot.

Why is my skull lumpy?

Head injuries can result in a scalp hematoma, or blood clot. If you experience a small head injury and a lump develops on your head, the developed hematoma is a sign that there's minor bleeding under the skin. These bumps typically go away after a few days.