Sacral dimple

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sacral dimples are present at birth and are evident during an infant's initial physical exam.

In most cases, further testing is unnecessary. However, if the dimple is very large or is accompanied by swelling, discoloration, drainage or tenderness, your infant may undergo imaging tests to rule out a more serious condition. This may include:

  • Ultrasound. Also called sonography, ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce precise images of structures of the body.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This technique uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the body.

DS00753

May 16, 2008

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