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A significant diagnositic sign of pilonidal disease

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary

The presence of excessive hair on the glabella constitutes a significant sign which is helpful in detecting individuals with pilonidal disease. The records of 5,477 individuals have been reviewed and 46.6 per cent had this sign. One of five patients with the positive sign had an inflamed pilonidal cyst and 93.3 per cent of all patients who had pilonidal disease had the positive sign. When this sign is observed at the time of enlistment of military personnel, it is likely that a careful examination will reveal that previously undetected pilonidal disease will be discovered. As a result there should be a great saving in time and expense in the management of these cases.

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Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not to be construed as official or reflecting views of the Medical Department of the U. S. Navy.

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Sebrechts, P.H. A significant diagnositic sign of pilonidal disease. Dis Colon Rectum 4, 56–59 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616687

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