Neck Masses Flashcards
Borders of the anterior triangle of the neck?
Superiorly– inferior border of the mandible (jawbone).
Laterally– anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid.
Medially– sagittal line down the midline of the neck
Borders of the posterior triangle of the neck?
Anterior– posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid.
Posterior– anterior border of the trapezius muscle.
Inferior– middle 1/3 of the clavicle
What is a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Well circumscribed midline neck mass, moves with protrusion of tongue
Part or all of the thyroglossal duct fails to disappear and remain patent.
Frequently near hyoid bone
Epidemiology of tyroglossal duct cyst?
Commonest
Usually age 0-5yrs
Clinical presentation of TDC?
Asymptomatic, but bothersome.
Complications of TDC?
infected by oral flora, can form sinus
Treatment for TDC?
Sistrunk procedure (excision of entirety of the cyst and duct and midpoint of the hyoid bone)
What is brachial cleft cyst?
Remnants of the embryological second branchial cleft or cervical sinus
Epidemiology of brachial cleft cyst?
20% of pediatric neck masses
Describe the brachial cleft cyst?
Painless, firm mass lateral to midline, usually anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which does not move with swallowing.
Diagnosing a Brachial cleft cyst?
Usually diagnosed in late childhood/adulthood after previously undiagnosed cyst becomes infected
Often a history of preceding upper respiratory infection.
Treatment of BCC?
complete surgical excision of both the cyst and any associated tracts
Complications of BCC?
infection of the cyst, tract, or sinus with possible abscess formation
What is a cystic hygroma?
Congenital malformation consisting of cyst-like cavities containing lymph.
Associated with fetal aneuploidy (e.g., Turner syndrome, trisomy 21), and anatomical malformations (e.g., congenital heart defects).
Describe a cystic hygroma?
Soft, compressible, painless neck mass, classically found in the posterior triangle of the neck.
Diagnostics and clinical features of cystic hygroma?
Can cause dysphagia or airway compromise
Can be transilluminated
Treatment of cystic hygroma?
Small masses may regress spontaneously, but surgical excision is indicated to prevent infection of the mass or airway compromise.
What is a pharyngeal diverticulum/pouch?
a pharyngeal pouch that forms where the lower part of the throat and the upper part of the esophagus meet
- Arises as a pulsion diverticulum of mucosa of posterior pharyngeal wall between cricopharyngeus and the rest of inferior constrictor
Clinical features of a pharyngeal diverticulum/pouch?
Dysphagia, regurgitation and gurgling sensation on swallowing
Treatment of pharyngeal diverticulum/pouch?
surgical excision
What is a laryngocele?
Sac containing air and pus on the medial surface of thyroid cartilage
Clinical presentation of laryngocele?
Hoarseness & swelling in the neck
Can be filled by asking patient to perform Valsalva maneuver
Dangerous as it may compress the airway
Treatment of a laryngocele?
endoscopic division of cricopharyngeal muscle using a Dolhmans pharyngoscope and a stapling gun or surgical excision
What is unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy?
localized swollen lymph nodes on one side of the neck
- is usually associated with bacterial infections