Neck lumps

Question 1

Chemodectoma

• what’s that
• characteristics

Answer 1

Chemodectoma

• tumour of carotid body chemoreceptors arising from the carotid bifurcation
• it is usually benign

Presentation:

• slowly enlarging neck mass
• demonstrates transient carotid pulsation
• mobilises side - side but not up-down
• pressure on the tumour → dizziness, syncope (as vagal tone is stimulated)

Ix: carotid angiogram → highly vascularized tumour at the carotid bifurcation

Rx: surgical excision

Question 2

Pleomorphic adenoma

what’s that?

characteristics?

Answer 2

Pleomorphic adenoma →benign tumour of salivary gland ​

Most common in 40-50s

Risk factor: radiation

Characteristics:

• neck lamp
• hard
• painless
• mobile
• near to angle of jaw
• no evidence of facial n. involvement

Treatment: excision of the tumour

Question 3

Salivary gland carcinoma

features, treatment, prognosis

Answer 3

Salivary gland carcinoma: aggressive and rare tumour; most commonly occurs in parotid gland

• 3x more common in men
• rarely occurs in <50 yo

Characteristics:

• rapidly growing mass
• features of infiltration e.g. palpable regional lymph nodes and facial nerve involvement

Treatment: parotidectomy with radiotherapy

Poor prognosis