Omphalolith Explained

An omphalolith, also known as a umbolith, omphalith,^[1] navel stone,^[2] or umbilical concretion is a periumbilical mass that may form due to the accumulation of sebum and keratin.^[3] The colour is black or brown, and may be related to the skin type of the patient. It may resemble a malignant melanoma.^[4] It may be caused by poor hygiene,^[5] and may form in retracted navels in obese people.

Etymology

The name was derived from the Greek words omphalos (Greek, Modern (1453-);: ομφαλός), meaning navel, and lithos (Greek, Modern (1453-);: λίθος), meaning stone.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Omphalith. Y.. Ichiki. Y.. Kitajima. April 17, 2009. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 34. 3. 420–421. PubMed. 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2008.02959.x. 19120385. 221545259 .
2. Book: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59715-2_72. ACNE and ROSACEA. Gerd. Plewig. Albert M.. Kligman. Omphalolith: The Ugly Navel Stone. Gerd. Plewig. Albert M.. Kligman. April 17, 2000. Springer. 553. Springer Link. 10.1007/978-3-642-59715-2_72. 9783642597152.
3. Omphalolith. Sampath K. L.. Kumar. C. Obula. Reddy. Keertinmayee. Reddy. June 17, 2011. The Indian Journal of Surgery. 73. 3. 238–239. 10.1007/s12262-010-0143-z. 22654343. 3087053.
4. Book: Fisher. Alexander A.. Fisher's Contact Dermatitis. Rietschel. Robert L.. Fowler. Joseph F.. 1995. Williams & Wilkins. 978-0-683-07282-2. en.
5. Book: Houghton. Andrew R.. Chamberlain's Symptoms and Signs in Clinical Medicine, An Introduction to Medical Diagnosis. Gray. David. 2010-05-28. CRC Press. 978-1-4822-1378-2. en.
6. Omphalolith: An Umbilical Concretion to Recognize. Kip. Mihara. November 17, 2016. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 31. 11. 1396. 10.1007/s11606-016-3708-0. 27114363. 5071274.