Swellings of the head and neck Flashcards
Describe the anatomy of the neck
2 triangles
- Anterior = below digastric, infront of sternomastoid
- Posterior = behind sternomastoid, infront of trapezius and above clavicle
What is haematoma
Collection of blood as a result of trauma
What are pyogenic bacterial infections
Those that cause the collection and production of pus
What is lymphadenitis
Enlargement of one or more lymph nodes due to bacterial infection
What is acute pyogenic lymphadenitis
Collection of pus and enlargement of lymph nodes due to bacterial infection caused by skin infection of Staph. aureus or pharyngitis by group A strep. (occurs mainly in children) This causes swelling in cervical lymph nodes
What are suppurative bacterial infections
Those that cause exudate formation and discharge
What is sialadenitis
Inflammation of one or more salivary glands
What is suppurative sialadenitis caused by
Staph. aureus
What is tubercular CL
Acquired lymphadenopathy where the patient
- coughs blood
- has weight loss
- night sweats
- shortness of breath
- fever + tiredness
What is syphilitic CL
Acquired lymphadenopathy where the patient has - painless oral ulceration - general rash - tiredness and fever Resulting from secondary syphilis
What is German measles
Acquired lymphadenopathy where the patient has the rubella virus causing
- red rash
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
What is infectious mononucleosis
Glandular fever caused by EBV where patient has
- sore throat
- fever
- tiredness
- enlarged lymph nodes
What is mumps
Viral infection causing
- fever
- muscle ache
- poor apetite
- swelling of the parotid salivary glands
What is orofacial granulomatosis
An immunological lymphodenopathy where there is persistent enlargement of oral soft tissues causing
- angular chelitis
- gingivitis
- swollen lips
Commonly, these patients will have Crohn’s disease
What is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Commonly found in children and presents as
- fever
- lethargy
- bruising and bleeding tendencies
- muscular skeletal pain
- recurrent infections
Lymphadenopathy is found on investigation and there is enlarged lymph nodes in the neck as well as hepatosplenomegaly (liver and spleen enlargement)
How does lymphoma present
Hodgkins and non-hodgkins shows painless enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck groin or armpit area as well as
- tieredness
- night sweats
- weight loss
- bone pain
- flu like symptoms
What is the most common type of head and neck cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma (because squamous epithelium lines the mouth nose and throat)
What is an epidermal cyst
A benign cyst found on the skin from ectodermal tissue which is made of a thin layer of squamous epithelium - this is on the floor of the mouth and is more prevalent in males 5-50years old
What is fibrous dysplasia
Benign body tumour occurring in craniofacial skeleton
What is a cervical rib
An additional rib arising from the 7th cervical vertebra; feels like a bony swelling in the neck
What is sialosis
Chronic bilateral diffuse non-inflammatory and non-neoplastic swelling of the parotid gland
How does connective tissue disease present in the head and neck
Swelling of the parotids/salivary glands
What type of drugs can cause lymph nodal swelling
- antimalarials
- anti seizure
What is Kawasaki disease
Where the blood vessel is inflamed (usually <5 years old) and causes
- high temperature
- rashes
- swollen neck glands
- dry and cracked lips
- red fingers, eyes and toes
What should be taken into consideration when palpating and examining a lump (10)
- Site
- Size
- Shape
- Surface (smooth or irregular)
- Texture
- Temperature
- Tenderness
- Surrounding tissue (is it attached)
- Mobility
- Drainage of lymph nodes
What are the 5 cystic lesions that can arise
- Branchial cyst
- Dermoid cyst
- Thyroglossal cyst
- Epidermal cyst
- Cystic hygroma/lymphangioma