Can My Skull Bump Be Reduced? (Minor Skull Reshaping)

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in minor skull reshaping. I would to have a point or bump at the crown of my head reduced. From what I have read, it is does not appear too big (tall) that it could not be adequately reduced based on the thickness of the skull bone. I have attached a front and side view picture of it. Now that I have lost my hair, what used to not be an issue has become one.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. Your crown ‘point’ is very obvious and I have seen this very skull issue numerous times. Usually this can very successfully be burred down to be confluent with the surrounding skull contour. But because it is in the midline over the vertex of the skull it would be important before surgery to check a simple x-ray to determine the thickness of the skull in this area. I have seen a few times in taking this area down that the bone becomes quite thin and the dural lining of the brain is close by. While this is not dangerous, it would be important to know beforehand if an adequate reduction can be done so that the surgical effort would have been worth it. Also, as is the case in every male with elective or non-elective lack of hair, is the issue of the fine line scar to do the procedure. That small aesthetic trade-off must always be carefully considered.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana