A graduate of the Tufts University School of Medicine, Brian Gilchrist, MD, has been practicing medicine for over 30 years. Dr. Brian Gilchrist revolutionized surgery for pilonidal disease and has spoken on the condition around the world.
Pilonidal disease is a common condition that occurs when an infection occurs in the crease of the buttocks. More than 70,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States every year, and the condition can refer to either a chronic condition or a one-time cyst that forms near the tailbone. Doctors are unsure of what specifically causes pilonidal disease. However, the formation of a pilonidal cyst has been tied to hairs at the base of the spine embedded themselves into the skin. In response to these ingrown hairs, the area becomes inflamed and forms a cyst or abscess. For many patients, this inflammation causes pain just above the buttocks, or they will notice fluid leaking from the affected area. Ignoring the condition may result in a pilonidal sinus, which is a cavity under the skin. Doctors have noted several risk factors. Men are three to four times more likely to develop pilonidal disease than women. Further, more cases occur in people who are overweight or have coarse body hair. The condition is also more likely to develop when there are pressure and friction in the area caused by tight clothing or long stretches of sitting. |
AuthorDr. Brian Gilchrist - Extensive Surgical Leadership Background. Archives
September 2020
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