With topsy-turvy dance moves that require strength, finesse and — obviously — inversions (balancing and/or spinning on one's hands, arms or head), breakdancers face the potential for injury each time they step foot on the dance floor.
One such injury, according to some social media users, is the so-called
The images are authentic. Danish researchers first published them in a clinical case report in the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ) on Oct. 10, 2024 (the article can be read in its entirety here). And yes, the images indeed show what is popularly known as a "headspin hole" — actually, a tumorous mass or bumpb that breakdancers sometimes develop on top of their heads.
Report co-author Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, a researcher at the Department of Brain and Nerve Surgery at Copenhagen University Hospitals, told Snopes that the "headspin hole" gets its name by the loss of hair that contributes to a bald spot or "hole."
A clinical case report is a detailed, one-off report that describes the signs, symptoms, diagnoses and treatments of a medical condition observed in an individual patient, according to the National Institutes of Health.
This case report described a man in his early 30s who developed a "noticeable scalp protuberance over five years of extensive head-spinning practice." The man said he practiced dancing five times a week for about an hour and a half, applying direct pressure to his head for between two and seven minutes at a time.
Though he'd been dancing for 19 years, the bump had increased in size and tenderness over the previous five. Although it was "aesthetically displeasing," he didn't stop dancing.
MRI images showed a thickening of the subcutis, the deepest skin layer closest to the muscle, that made a "cone-head" shape on the top of the man's head.
The researchers defined the "headspin hole" as a "unique overuse injury in breakdancers caused by repetitive headspins."
(BMJ Case Reports)
Headspin holes are also known as "breakdance bulges." They manifest as fibrous masses on the scalp caused by repetitive headspinning. One German study in 2009 found that more than 60% of breakdancers experienced overuse injuries to the scalp, with about one-third experiencing hair loss and one-quarter painless head bumps.
In the above-reported case, physicians removed the fibrous tumor mass, which was benign, without issue.
The fibrous tumor mass is shown on the operating table in two projections with a ruler for reference. (BMJ Case Reports)
The patient described his experience as follows (as quoted in the study):
My experience throughout the entire process at the neurosurgical department has been very good. I felt well treated and was received by professional people. It felt like everything was under control, and I was asked the same questions many times in the different departments to ensure that I had answered the important questions about chronic illnesses and allergies correctly. This made it feel like everything was well organised and that I was in good hands. The nurses were very professional, present and caring, especially on the day of the operation. They were good at explaining how everything would proceed and were excellent at calming my nerves. The surgeons were skilled, and the entire operation and process seemed like something they genuinely wanted to do, not just a job. They were very professional and passionate throughout the process.
The process from the beginning has been good, and I am very satisfied. The outcome is much better than how it looked before, and I am glad I had it done. I would choose to do it again if I had the choice.
It is now possible for me to go out in public without a cap/ hat which is, of course, a very nice feeling. I have received a lot of positive feedback and people say it looks well done, that I have a nice scar, and that my overall appearance has improved significantly. Many say that they no longer notice that I have a bump and that my head looks completely normal. I still have very thick skin on my head, which means I still have a slight elevation. My surgeon said I could be referred to a plastic surgeon if I was dissatisfied. However, this is not the case. I am very satisfied with the result and the entire process.
The researchers wrote that the case report "underscores the importance of recognizing chronic scalp conditions in breakdancers and suggests that surgical intervention can be an effective treatment."
They added that there are limited descriptions of the condition, although this isn't the only time it has been observed by medical professionals. In 2020, researchers also described a 38-year-old man with a headspin hole who experienced dizziness and nosebleeds for several years.
(Radiology Case Reports)
The man said he had been breakdancing since he was 15, including spinning on his head, sometimes with a helmet but mainly while wearing a baseball hat or skull cap.
Because the condition is underreported, the researchers conclude that radiologists and clinicians should "be aware of the clinical presentation of headspin holes to avoid unnecessary biopsy and inappropriate work."