Pilonidal Disease

Exams and Tests

No medical tests are usually necessary to diagnose pilonidal disease. Your doctor can detect this condition by visually examining the area around the crease in the buttocks.

A skin and wound culture of the infected pilonidal cyst (abscess) may be done if it does not heal after treatment.

A pilonidal cyst is sometimes mistaken for Crohn's disease or a fistula or abscess next to the rectum (perirectal abscess). If the doctor suspects another condition, more tests may be done.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: December 14, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery
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