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Humans are pretty anatomically versatile, with each person having a different bone structure and respective dents. While dents can be relatively normal, the appearance of a new dent on the forehead may be a sign of an underlying issue. If you’ve recently discovered a dent or impression on your forehead and you’re trying to figure out what it is, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of potential causes, as well as when you should seek medical attention. We’ll also explain when a dent in the forehead is normal and harmless.
What does it mean to have a dent in the forehead?
Forehead dents can be the result of trauma or injuries, which can be serious. Vitamin A deficiency can also weaken bones and lead to bumps and dents. Conditions like lupus, Gorham-Stout Syndrome, and cancer can also lead to abnormal bone growth and shifts in the forehead. A dent may also be genetic and normal.
Steps
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1You’ve suffered a head injury. One of the leading causes of a dent in the forehead is an injury or trauma. Even a small fall, collision, or strike with a blunt object can cause a dent in the head, creating what is medically known as a “depressed skull fracture” (DSF). Since the skull protects the brain, a dent may result in cognitive decline, seizures, and loss of consciousness. This type of head trauma is serious, and consulting with a medical professional is highly recommended.[1]
- Possible Treatment: Your doctor will determine the severity of the injury and perform a physical exam. Then, they’ll use computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or skull x-rays to assess the damage. Surgery may be needed.
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2You have a Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency occurs when we don’t receive enough nutrients from dairy, eggs, leafy greens, and other vegetables. While a Vitamin A deficiency is most common in developing countries and relatively rare in the U.S., it may still explain a sudden dent in the skull. This deficiency is known to soften bones, creating forehead dents that can form from light amounts of pressure.[2]
- Possible Treatment: Consult with your doctor to see if taking supplements can help correct this condition.
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3You have Paget’s disease. While the exact cause of Paget’s disease is unknown, it is believed to be a result of both genetics and your environment. The disease leads to irregular bone growth and shifts, potentially presenting as new dents in the forehead. Paget's disease requires a professional diagnosis, which may be determined based on someone’s individual symptoms, x-rays, and other imaging tests.[3]
- Possible Treatment: After a formal diagnosis from your doctor, treatment may include a blend of physical therapy, a calcium and Vitamin A-rich diet, and bisphosphonates, a prescription medication to manage bone loss. Surgery may also be an option.
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4You have a tumor or cancer. The tumor may be cancerous or not, but no matter what, don’t panic, as this is one of the more serious and least likely possible causes of a dent in the forehead. The chances of your dent being related to cancer, like chondrosarcoma, increase if the dent is accompanied by persistent pain or significant swelling. If you’re concerned that this might be the case, make an appointment with your doctor ASAP.[4]
- It’s important to note that all kinds of cancers can metastasize, or spread, to the skull and the brain, capable of causing dents and bumps in the bone structure.
- Additionally, non-cancerous tumors can also lead to dents in the skull without being life-threatening.
- Possible Treatment: Treatment will entirely depend on whether the growth is cancerous or not. Doctors may simply propose closely monitoring the tumor if there are no symptoms. If the tumor is cancerous, treatments may include surgery or chemotherapy.
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5You have Gorham-Stout Syndrome. This is another incredibly rare yet possible explanation for a dent in the forehead. Also called “vanishing bone syndrome,” this condition causes the gradual decay and loss of bone matter, usually in one specific area, like the head. Lymphatic vessels grow inside the bone, triggering dents, bumps, fractures, and swelling. Imaging tests like MRIs can help doctors diagnose this disease.[5]
- Possible Treatment: The disease is quite rare, and treatment typically involves managing symptoms with bisphosphonates, radiation therapy to reduce bone loss, and physical therapy.
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6You’re developing osteodystrophy. This is a condition that affects bone development, most commonly found in young children, people 55+, or those with kidney issues. It may also be spurred on by low levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Bone deformities are often side effects, manifesting in the skull or other parts of the body, causing bowlegs and knock-knees, for example.[6]
- Possible Treatment: Symptoms may be alleviated by a change in diet, taking supplements, and dialysis.
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7You have lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder capable of weakening the body overall, including the bones. Bone damage can induce osteoporosis, which attacks bone density and increases the risk of fractures and avascular necrosis (AVN), which cuts off the blood supply to the bones. This may result in dents in the skull as the bones soften and expand. Fatigue, joint pain or swelling, and frequent, unexplained skin rashes are some symptoms of lupus.[7]
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Possible Treatment: Treatment for lupus mainly involves helping manage symptoms and preventing flare-ups. Medications like steroids and immunosuppressants can reduce inflammation and stop the body from attacking itself.
- A healthy and balanced lifestyle consisting of little exposure to the sun, light exercise, and stress management can also help.
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Possible Treatment: Treatment for lupus mainly involves helping manage symptoms and preventing flare-ups. Medications like steroids and immunosuppressants can reduce inflammation and stop the body from attacking itself.
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8You had brain surgery. Certain surgeries may leave behind a depression on the skull. A craniectomy, for instance, requires the surgeon to remove a part of the skull bone to reduce swelling after a concussion or in a similar scenario. This empty spot can lead to a visible dent, which can definitely be concerning at first glance.[8]
- Possible Treatment: Corrective surgery, once the swelling has gone down, is often the best option to treat this kind of issue.
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References
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8816297/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23107-vitamin-a-deficiency
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pagets-disease-of-bone/symptoms-causes/syc-20350811
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3151370/
- ↑ https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/gorham-stout-disease/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24006-renal-osteodystrophy
- ↑ https://www.lupus.org/resources/common-symptoms-of-lupus
- ↑ https://www.aaroncohen-gadol.com/en/patients/craniotomy/overview
- ↑ https://www.phillymalpracticelawyer.com/blog/when-to-worry-about-a-dent-in-your-head/
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