Man gets scalp tumour after decades of breakdancing

Researchers in Denmark have published a case report revealing an unexpected consequence of one of breakdancing’s most iconic moves: the headspin.

While breaking, as it’s called by its performers, is celebrated for its athleticism and creativity, it also comes with physical risks. These can include carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve problems, as well as a condition known in the breaking community as headspin hole, an overuse injury that can affect the scalp.

CTV News reports that the condition typically begins with hair loss but can develop into a significant bump on the top of the head.

In the case report, published in The BMJ, a man in his early 30s who had been breaking for nearly 20 years was treated for a benign tumour that had grown more than 2.5cm thick.

The condition, sometimes referred to as breakdance bulge, is thought to be caused by repeated friction between the scalp and the floor during headspins, compounded by the pressure exerted during the move.

“We believe the condition results from repeated friction between the head and the floor, combined with the weight-bearing nature of headspins, accumulated over years of breakdancing,” said Dr Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, a neurosurgery specialist at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen.

“This repetitive strain on the skull, scalp and skin probably triggers inflammation, and over time, minor bleeding may lead to thickened skin and scar tissue, forming the characteristic bulge.”

Søndergaard, a co-author of the case report, treated the patient, who had reported discomfort and soreness and said he avoided public outings without a hat to conceal the bump.

After surgeons removed the growth, the patient expressed relief.

Despite some awareness of the condition within the breaking community, medical literature on “headspin hole” remains limited, according to the case report.

Study details

‘Headspin hole’: an overuse injury among breakdancers

Mikkel Bundgaard Skotting, Christian Baastrup Søndergaard.

Published in The BMJ Case Reports Volume 17 Issue 9

Abstract

This case report focuses on ‘headspin hole’, a unique overuse injury in breakdancers caused by repetitive headspins. It manifests as a fibrous mass on the scalp, hair loss and tenderness. The literature on this condition is limited. We present a detailed case report of a male breakdancer in his early 30s who developed a noticeable scalp protuberance over five years of extensive head-spinning practice. MRI showed significant subgaleal fibrosis and thickening of the subcutis, consistent with the ‘cone-head sign’. The patient underwent successful surgical tumour removal, leading to aesthetic improvement and symptom relief. Histological analysis showed extensive fibrosis with no malignancy. Postoperative follow-up indicated high patient satisfaction and a significant reduction of the mass. This case underscores the importance of recognising chronic scalp conditions in breakdancers and suggests that surgical intervention can be an effective treatment.

BMJ Case reports – ‘Headspin hole’: an overuse injury among breakdancers (Open access)

CTV News article –  'Headspin hole': Man develops scalp tumour after decades of breakdancing (Open access)