Neck mass
Medical condition
| Neck mass | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | ENT surgery |
A neck mass or neck lump is an ambiguous mass found in the neck area. There are many different possible causes,[1] including congenital conditions like branchial anomalies and thyroglossal duct cysts.[2]
Workup
Workup of a neck mass includes a medical history and a physical examination, where important characteristics are location, size, shape, consistency, tenderness, mobility, and color.[3]
When this is not conclusive, further workup includes:
- Blood tests
- Medical imaging: Contrast CT is generally the initial study of choice for adults.[3] Medical ultrasound of the neck is useful in children because it avoids the radiation dose of CT.[3]
In some cases, fine needle aspiration may assist in the diagnosis.
See also
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
References
- ^ "Neck Mass: Approach to the Patient With Nasal and Pharyngeal Symptoms: Merck Manual Professional".
- ^ 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
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