What Causes Hard Lump At Base Of Skull And Severe Throbbing Pain?

Posted on Wed, 12 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 Answered on

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had a pea size hard lump on the base of my skull where the neck meets ( I attached a picture for reference where the lump is). I have had this lump for over 2 years and never had it checked out. I suffer from migraines and more recently ive been having a severe throbbing shooting pain lasts for several minutes at a time in the back of my head. what could this lump be?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The lump is probably a Sebaceous cyst.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Thank you for the query.

A lump in such location is usually a sebaceous cyst. It is a kind of benign lesion which does not turn into any cancer. Typically such cyst is rounded, painless.

In some cases such cyst can get infected. If so, the lump becomes painful, swollen and reddish.

That is why such cyst should be removed.
I suggest you to consult general surgeon. In case of any doubts, soft tissues ultrasound can be done.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj