Neck swellings Flashcards
What are some causes of superficial neck swellings?
Sebaceous Cysts
Lipomas
Neurofibromas
Carbuncle
What are 3 causes of midline structure neck swellings?
Thyroid
Thyroglossal Cyst
Dermoid Cyst
What two things should be assessed on examination of a midline swellings?
Does the lump move:
When swallowing?
On protrusion of tongue?
What four things should be considered if a neck lump is found in the anterior triangle?
Lymph nodes
Brachial cyst
Salivary gland
Carotid body tumour
What two things should be considered if a lump is found in the posterior triangle?
Lymph Nodes
Cystic Hygroma
What is a cystic hygroma?
A congenital multiloculated lymphatic lesion that can arise anywhere, but is classically found in the left posterior triangle of the neck and armpits
What is a neurofibroma?
A benign nerve sheath tumor in the peripheral nervous system
What neck lumps can arise from the embryological ectoderm?
Carbuncle
Dermoid cyst
What neck lumps can arise from the embryological mesoderm?
Cystic hygroma
What neck lumps can arise from the embryological endoderm?
Thyroid
Thyroglossal cyst
Neurofibroma
What does a thyroid function test revel in patients with Hashimotos?
Low T3 & T4
High TSH
What does a thyroid function test show in patients with Grave’s disease?
High T3 & T4
Low TSH
Which structures are normally palpable in the neck?
External occipital protuberance Mastoid process Cervical vertebral bodies (in thin people) Spinous process of C7 & T1 vertebrae Hyoid bone Thyroid cartilage Cricoid cartilage Trachea
