Exams and Tests

No medical tests are usually necessary to diagnose pilonidal disease. Your doctor can detect this condition by visually examining the area around the crease in the buttocks.

A skin and wound culture of the infected pilonidal cyst (abscess) may be done if it does not heal after treatment.

A pilonidal cyst is sometimes mistaken for Crohn's disease or a fistula or abscess next to the rectum (perirectal abscess). If the doctor suspects another condition, more tests may be done.