A terrifying four-inch 'devil's horn' growing from the back of a man's head has been removed by surgeons in a painstaking operation.

The 30-year-old patient from Naberezhnye, Tatarstan Republic, Russia, had first noticed the growth as a small bump under his hair three years ago (2022).

But it grew rapidly, and by the time he sought medical help, it had grown to a horrifying 11 centimetres (4.3 inches) and was curling round to dig painfully into his neck.

Picture shows the "devil's horn", undated. The horn was removed from Naberezhnye Chelny resident in Russia. Note: Hospital photo. (@bolnica5_chelny/Newsflash/NX)

Surgeons at the city's Hospital No. 5 carried out the op with the patient's head clamped to one side to keep it stable, city health officials revealed in a statement on 6th May.

Pavel Yegorov, head of anaesthesiology and intensive care, explained: “The operation was performed under general anaesthesia.

"The main challenge was positioning the patient’s head on its side and keeping it stable while monitoring vital signs throughout the procedure.

Picture shows the removal of the "devil's horn", undated. The horn was removed from Naberezhnye Chelny resident in Russia. Note: Hospital photo. (@bolnica5_chelny/Newsflash/NX)

"We managed it successfully. The patient recovered quickly from the anaesthetic and is now back home with his family.

"The removed growth has been sent for histological analysis."

Lead surgeon Ruzil Khurmatullin cauterised the wound to make sure it would not grow back.

Picture shows the doctors involved in the surgery, undated. The horn was removed from Naberezhnye Chelny resident in Russia. Note: Hospital photo. (@bolnica5_chelny/Newsflash/NX)

The growth is known medically as a keratoma and sometimes referred to as a 'devil’s horn'.

It is formed from an abnormally rapid skin cell multiplication called keratinocytes, which hardens and forms the horn-like structure.

(Simona Kitanovska / newsX)