Medical expert of the article
New publications
Atheroma on the buttock
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The buttock area is traditionally considered one of the most filled with fat layers, including sebaceous glands. The skin in this area is dense, filled with a large number of sebaceous glands, so atheroma on the buttock is a fairly common phenomenon that should not be feared, since such cysts are considered benign.
The buttocks consist of muscle and fibrous tissue, and above the gluteus maximus muscle, the largest in this area, the fibrous tissue is divided into specific partitions that divide the subcutaneous tissue into areas filled with fat. The largest amount of fat deposits on the buttocks, especially in beautiful ladies, is located closer to the lower back, slightly above the gluteus medius muscle. These deposits have a long and complex name - corpus adiposum lumbogluteale, s. massa adiposa lumbogluteails, which means a large-lobed fat layer. It is in this area that atheroma most often forms; on the buttock, it looks like a rounded seal with clear contours. This is a subcutaneous cyst, painless and not manifested by specific symptoms. Such neoplasms can form for a long time, they increase slowly, without causing discomfort.
[ Reasons
Causes of atheroma formation on the buttocks:
- Hypersecretion of sebaceous glands in the buttocks area.
- Blockage of the sebaceous gland duct.
- Previous abscess, including drug-induced (after injection).
- Acne, post-acne scars.
- Regular mechanical irritation from underwear that is too tight.
- Temperature factor (overheating or hypothermia).
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Metabolic disorder.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Obesity.
- Increased testosterone levels.
Atheroma on the buttock can be of two types - primary, true or secondary - retention.
Symptoms
Symptoms of primary atheroma:
- A dense swelling under the skin, painless and slowly growing.
- Rare cases of atheroma inflammation.
Clinical manifestations of retention atheroma:
- The cyst has a tendency to become inflamed.
- Secondary atheroma develops quite quickly and also increases in size.
- A sebaceous gland retention cyst can open on its own if it becomes purulent.
- Tendency to recurrence after spontaneous opening in case of suppuration.
Diagnosis and treatment
Atheromas of the gluteal zone are diagnosed by examination and palpation. Differentiation is mandatory; atheroma should be distinguished from lipoma, fibroma, erythema, and deep chronic abscess.
The cyst is treated surgically using enucleation in an outpatient setting. The healing and tissue restoration period depends on the size of the atheroma, the amount of subcutaneous fat and the patient's weight.