Neck lumps

Symptoms

The diagnosis of superficial swellings of the neck should be obvious. A sebaceous cyst will usually have grown slowly and may have been painful and red if infected. Lipomas tend to grow slowly. An abscess will be obvious from pain and tenderness. Lymphadenopathy may be associated with a recent pyrexial illness, local lesions in the head and neck, generalised infection or generalised malignancy. Swelling during mastication suggests a salivary gland origin. Blackouts or dizziness may suggest a carotid body tumour. A lump in the lower part of the posterior triangle, increasing in size after eating, and gurgling when full, suggests a pharyngeal pouch. The patient may experience bouts of coughing or choking when lying down as the pouch empties itself and aspiration occurs. Neurological or vascular symptoms in the upper limb may be associated with a cervical rib. Sternomastoid tumours are rare and occur in the neonate. Cystic hygromas are rare and occur in infancy.