7th Annual WML Academic Symposium

Presenter(s): Rae Freeman
Title: Pilonidal Cyst in a Collegiate Football Player
Developed under the guidance of Dr. Sarah Christie , Exercise Science

Background: The patient is an eighteen year old male who is a collegiate football player. The athlete reported the athletic training room experiencing discomfort and pain on the subcutaneous layer of skin over his sacrum. The athlete came to his athletic trainer inquiring on a diagnosis and possible treatment to alleviate his discomfort. The athlete reported with pain while sitting and lying supine. The only comfortable position for the athlete was standing which reduced the pressure over his sacrum. The athlete’s symptoms include tenderness over the effected site, redness, and mild swelling. After the effected site increased in size the next day the athlete trainer referred the patient to the team physician for an official diagnosis. Differential Diagnosis: Pilonidal Cyst or Ingrown Hair Follicle. Treatment: Upon referral to the physician the athlete was diagnosed with a pilonidal cyst of the sacrum. The chosen method of treatment was a pilonidal cystectomy during which the surgeon numbed the area with lidocaine and removed the mass. This was determined to be a more effective treatment than draining. During closing the surgeon packed the wound with sterile gauze and covered it with waterproof adhesive tape. The athlete would clean the wound by showering and proper drying of the area. Once this was completed the athletic training staff would pack the wound again with sterile gauze and covered with gauze and completed with adhesive tape.Conclusion: All cases must be treated according to their specific needs. Professionalism was key in this situation. We had to make the athlete comfortable with the staff members and trust them to operate at discretion.