The coronal suture, the area above the eye, is the spot where the frontal and parietal bones of your skull connect. This area is comprised of dense, fibrous connective tissue. The area is not closed at birth but closes as you mature.
Causes
The most common cause of lumps in the area of the coronal suture is blunt force trauma. The impact does not need to be very hard to cause a lump in that region. The soft tissue of that region is easily damaged and the area of the coronal suture is abundant with blood vessels, so swelling can occur rapidly. Injuries suffered during falls, striking your head against solid objects and trauma caused by being hit by a ball are all common causes of swelling near the coronal suture.
First Aid
In most cases, swelling in the coronal suture region requires only cold compression as treatment. The swelling subsides on its own after a few days. Seek medical attention if severe bleeding, altered consciousness, extreme swelling, bleeding from the ears, difficulty breathing, continuous bleeding from the nose or bruising of the under the eyes occurs. Until medical attention arrives, keep the injured person still with his head and shoulder slightly elevated. Apply pressure to the wound to stop any bleeding. Do not apply pressure to the wound if a skull fracture is suspected.
Treatment
In cases of severe head trauma, treatment can range from pain medication to surgery depending on the damage done by the trauma and the severity of the symptoms. Most of this treatment is geared toward preventing the rise of intracranial pressure. A significant rise in intracranial pressure may cause brain damage or death.
Other Causes
Lumps in the coronal suture also may be due to lipoma or tumors. Lipomas are the buildup of fat between the skin and muscle layers and are common in the scalp and neck region. If you find a lump on your head that is not associated with trauma, consult a medical professional.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Head Trauma
- MayoClinic.com: Lipoma
- "Physiology (5th Edition)"; Robert M. Berne, et al.; 2003
- MayoClinic.com: Bump on the Head
