“Back mice” is a non-medical term that refers to fat growths brought on by several conditions.
The masses are also known assubfascialfat herniation orepisacroiliaclipoma.
Illustration by Lara Antal for Verywell Health
What Are Back Mice?
Illustration by Lara Antal for Verywell Health
However, it can also be used to describe fibrous tissue or other types of nodules in this location.
Subcutaneous back mice develop in the tissue under the skin.
In fact, the lumps are often found by chiropractors and massage therapists during treatments.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Diagnosis
An abnormal fatty growth should always be evaluated by adermatologistor other healthcare provider.
A physical exam may provide enough information to diagnose a lipoma.
However, sometimes imaging and laboratory tests are done.
These may include:
Do Back Mice Show Up on MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans provide high-quality information for diagnosing lipomas like back mice.
Most of these conditions are diagnosed simply by doing a physical exam and taking a medical history.
They move if you press on them and mostly show up in the lower back and hip area.
Diagnosis can be made by injecting an anesthetic and seeing if the pain goes away.
Treatment may involve more injections or surgery if pain is severe and doesn’t go away.
CAM treatments like acupuncture, dry needling, and spinal manipulation may help.
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