months inflamed lymph nodes back of neck

Most common cause for paediatric neck mass 15.May be complicated by secondary infection.Occurs secondary to a local infective or inflammatory process.Can arise in numerous positions in the head and neck, most typically in the anterolateral neck.May present as a cyst, sinus or fistula that can become infected.Most common lateral congenital neck mass 14.Occurs as a result of failure of the pharyngeal clefts to involute.Treatment involves surgical excision (Sistrunk’s procedure).If asymptomatic, can be managed conservatively.Suspect if ongoing midline mass following resolution of infection.Arises anywhere along the midline path of the thyroglossal duct.Most common midline congenital neck mass 13.Occurs as a result of failure of the thyroglossal duct to involute.Congenital abnormality that may present at any age, though typically diagnosed prior to adulthood.Comparison of common benign and red flag conditions Evaluation and Management of Neck Masses in Children. Paediatric cervical masses according to anatomical locationĪdapted with permission from Meier J, Grimmer JF. 3 Numerous aspects of history and examination help to guide diagnosis towards one of these categories. 2 While the majority of paediatric neck lumps seen in general practice occur as a result of an inflammatory/infective process, persistent congenital abnormalities and red flag neoplastic diagnoses must be considered (Table 2). The aetiology of paediatric cervical masses is often divided into the broad categories of congenital, inflammatory/infective and neoplastic (Table 1).

A broad array of differential diagnoses exists, many of which require specialist referral and aggressive management. While these masses are most often benign, they can elicit significant anxiety in carers of the child and present a diagnostic dilemma for physicians. Neck lumps in children are a common presentation encountered in general practice.

Months inflamed lymph nodes back of neck