Neck lumps are common and can be caused by a large variety of conditions. In most cases the cause for a neck lump is benign however, more serious disease such as malignancy or chronic infection needs to be excluded. A thorough assessment and appropriate investigations is therefore required.
Causes of neck lumps include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Thyroid lesions or goitre
- Skin lesions
- Lipomas
- Salivary gland inflammation or tumour
- Congenital cysts
- Chronic infection or abscess
- Carotid artery aneurysm or carotid body tumour
- Paragangliomas
After initial clinical evaluation assessment of most neck lumps will require further investigation with an ultrasound scan or CT imaging. A fine needle biopsy may be required to help determine the nature of the lesion thereby allowing Dr Meyer-Rochow to recommend the most appropriate management strategy for the neck lump (or to expedite referral to the most appropriate specialist if the required procedure is outside his area of expertise).