July 2021: A Belly Button Problem

​My first thought when I learned a patient had presented with a belly button problem was a belly button ring issue. But the patient was male, so it probably was not that. But I thought it would be interesting. I couldn't ever remember a guy with a belly button concern in 30 years of practice.I examined him: Yep, this was interesting. It looked like an abscess, and it was quite tender. It was not draining, despite its appearance.This only led to more questions. How do I numb that area? It was like a firm olive in the navel. He had never had this before, so should I look further? Was this just a weird skin abscess or something more? Off he went to the Donut of Truth.There it was: a 3.2 x 1.7 x 1.8 cm umbilical abscess with an extending linear density likely representing an umbilical ligament or urachal sinus. The patient went to the OR for drainage of the abscess and evaluation for the potential removal of a urachal sinus.Tip to Remember:Umbilical pathology is extremely rare in adults usually and deserves further evaluation.​Published: 7/1/2021 9:46:00 AM
Source: Lions and Tigers and Bears - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs