Neck Lumps Flashcards
What is the most common cause of a neck lump
Cervical lymphadenopathy secondary to infection
When assessing a neck lump, what parts of the history are particulary important
Age of patient
Duration and progression of lump
Associated signs/symptoms
How do you examine a neck lump - what are you looking for
Relate location of lump to knowledge of underlying structures
Whether the lump moves with swallowing or sticking the tongue out
How it feels on palpation - hard, soft, tender, superficial, deep, etc
Look for overlying skin changes
Name the classes of neck lumps
Superficial, within superficial fascia - dermatoid cyst
Inflammatory/infective lymph node
Congenital lesions
Thyroid pathology
Primary or secondary malignancy involving a lymph node
Salivary gland pathology
Other - chronic infection, carotid artery aneurysm
What is a dermatoid cyst and where is it found
A saclike growth present from birth that is filled with fluid
It is congenital
They are found in the top of the midline
What is a thyroglossal duct cyst and where is it found
A cyst that develops due to problems with thyroid development leading to cyst formation
They are filled with fluid and are congential
Are found in midline of the neck
What is a branchial cyst and where is it found
A cyst that develops due to embryological problems - cavity is formed during development which then fills with fluid
They are congential and are found on anterior border of SCM
Where would an enlarged submandibular salivary gland be found and why might is be enlarged
Will be found lateral to midline, just below the mandible
It is enlarged due to inflammation, infection or malignancy
What are the red flags for lymphandenopathy
Persisting >6wks
Fixed, hard and irregular
Rapidly growing in size
Assocaited with generalised lymphadenopathy
Assocaited systemic signs/symptoms
Associated with persistant change in voice/hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
