A neck mass or neck lump is an ambiguous mass found in the neck area. There are many different possible causes,[1] including head and neck cancer[2] and congenital conditions like branchial anomalies and thyroglossal duct cysts.[3]
| Neck mass | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | ENT surgery |
Diagnosis
editWorkup of a neck mass includes a medical history and a physical examination, where important characteristics are location, size, shape, consistency, tenderness, mobility, and color.[4]
When this is not conclusive, further workup includes:
- Blood tests
- Medical imaging: Contrast CT is generally the initial study of choice for adults.[4] Medical ultrasound of the neck is useful in children because it avoids the radiation dose of CT.[4]
In some cases, fine needle aspiration may assist in the diagnosis.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Neck Mass: Approach to the Patient With Nasal and Pharyngeal Symptoms: Merck Manual Professional".
- ^ Pynnonen, Melissa A.; Gillespie, M. Boyd; Roman, Benjamin; Rosenfeld, Richard M.; Tunkel, David E.; Bontempo, Laura; Brook, Itzhak; Chick, Davoren Ann; Colandrea, Maria; Finestone, Sandra A.; Fowler, Jason C.; Griffith, Christopher C.; Henson, Zeb; Levine, Corinna; Mehta, Vikas (September 2017). "Clinical Practice Guideline: Evaluation of the Neck Mass in Adults". Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 157 (S2). doi:10.1177/0194599817722550. ISSN 0194-5998.
- ^ Schwetschenau E, Kelley DJ (September 2002). "The adult neck mass". Am Fam Physician. 66 (5): 831–8. PMID 12322776.
- ^ a b c Daniel G Deschler, Joseph Zenga. "Evaluation of a neck mass in adults". UpToDate. This topic last updated: Dec 04, 2017.
External links
edit
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