‘Breakdance bulge’ triggers medical warnings

Danish performer develops cone-shaped lump on head

Breakdancers have been advised to curb their head spinning after a Danish performer developed a cone-shaped lump on his head from too much rigorous gyrating.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) revealed that the dancer developed a benign, one-inch thick tumour, or “headspin hole”, which had to be surgically removed.
A photograph of the lump published in the journal showed a strange but fairly unobtrusive cone shape poking out on top of the dancer’s head. He had reportedly taken to wearing a hat to conceal the bulge.
The dancer had been training five times per week in Denmark and developed the bulge from repeated pressure on the top of his head and the spinning movements.
He developed the lump over a period of 19 years of breakdancing, with it becoming particularly uncomfortable over the past five years.
He would eventually seek medical help in his 30s from doctors at Copenhagen University Hospital, who first ruled out other potential issues such as cancer.
They eventually identified the injury as “headspin hole” and he was able to have it removed with no adverse consequences.
An author of the paper in the BMJ told the Press Association news agency that it “does not advocate against head spinning entirely”.
“However, breakdancers who notice the early development of a breakdance bulge should consider reducing or avoiding headspins, as continuing may lead to further enlargement of the bulge,” said Dr Christian Baastrup Sondergaard.
“Although this is a rare condition unique to breakdancers, the successful surgical treatment in this case demonstrates that it is a viable option for symptom relief,” he added.
The dancer was quoted as saying: “It is now possible for me to go out in public without a cap… which is, of course, a very nice feeling.”