Neck Lumps Flashcards
red flag symptoms for a neck lump
hard + fixed lump
associated otalgia, hoarseness, dysphagia, stridor
epistaxis / unilateral nasal congestion
unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fevers
cranial nerve palsies
what is the most common cause of a neck swelling
reactive lymphadenopathy
- increase in size of lymph node in response to infection
painless midline lump that moves upwards on protrusion of the tongue
thyroglossal cyst
what age to thyroglossal cysts usually present
<20 years old
management of a thyrogossal cyst
surgical removal
- risk of thyroglossal cysts becoming infected / fistula formation
soft, asymptomatic lump on lateral aspect of neck containing cholesterol crystals
branchial cyst
what is a branchial cyst
remnant of 2nd branchial cleft
features of a branchial cyst
smooth, non tender mass anterior to sternocleidomastoid
contains cholesterol crystals
management of a branchial cyst
surgical excision
painless fluctuant mass that transilluminates
cystic hygroma
where are cystic hygromas typically found
posterior triangle of the neck
axilla
what age does a cystic hygroma present
majority evident at birth
- most diagnosed by 2 years old
management of a cystic hygroma
surgical excision or injection of sclerosis agents
pulsatile painless neck lump with bruit on auscultation
carotid body tumour (carotid paraganlioma)
what is a carotid paraganglioma
benign neuroendocrine tumour that arrises from paraganglion cells of the carotid body
midline mass that moves on swallowing
goitre (thyroid)
midline lump that gurgles on palpation with symptoms of halitosis, regurgitation, dysphagia
pharyngeal pouch
features of a lymphoma
rubbery, painless lymphadenopathy
- pain with alcohol consumption (rare)
assoc. weight loss / night sweats
investigation of a suspicious neck lump
USS + FNA
- Core biopsy if lymphoma suspected
