I Have Had A Nodule About 1.5cm Firm And Not

Posted on Sat, 21 Mar 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 21 Mar 2020 Answered on

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Question : I have had a nodule about 1.5cm firm and not moveable in front of my left ear opening about 1 cm away from the ear canal for about 8 months. It is not tender or painful. A few days ago I felt as though my left side of my tongue was slightly enlarged when I talked or chewed and a lymph node under by chin on the left side was tender. I have seen an ENT doctor and he ordered a CAT Scan of my neckwhich showed a 1.7 cm nodule nearmy ear. He will not do a biopsy as he fears injuring my facial nerve and instead just wants to do another CAT scan of my neck in 4 months but I am worried because he does not know what it is. Should I find a doctor to do a biopsy of it?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes better do a biopsy

Detailed Answer:
Hello, First of all thank you for approaching us for query.I read through your query.I must say that nothing to be worried in this case.First of all the nodule is at same growth level its not increasing in size, right???Secondly its not painful .I suggest you to meet a general surgeon or ent surgeon and get biopsy done.It will give you clear result of what it is rather than getting scared about it.Besides these stay cool and calm.Dont get stressed.Hope you understood what I meant.Thank you and have a healthy day.
Dr Rohit

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (37 hours later)

I have seen an ENT doctor but he will not do a biopsy as I asked him because he says he might hit the facial nerve-he just will order a repeat CAT scan in 4 months to see if it has grown or not. He says at some time he might have to take it out with a long about 10 inch incision (the nodule is 1.7 cm only). Should I see another ENT who would be willing to biopsy it? It is painless-about on top of where both of my jaws meet. Thank you for your advice! It is worrisome.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get a second opinion from another ent surgeon

Detailed Answer:
Hii, thank you for your followup query.I read through your query and I suggest you to get a second opinion from another ent surgeon.Other ent surgeon whom you had met can be a best doctor but its always good to have a second opinion from one more ent doctor.If he also tells the same then its fine.There no problem in getting another opinion.Thats my suggestion.If you can get it done its well and good.Since you dont have any pain and its not growing also so you can wait as the doctor said.Its upto you to decide.Hope you understood what I meant.Thank you and have a healthy day.Dr Rohit

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (19 hours later)

As far as a second opinion, should I see an ENT or a Maxillofacial surgeon?Thank you for your help!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rohit S Menon (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Meet any one of them

Detailed Answer:
Hii, first of all thank you for your followup query. I read through your query and I must say that you can meet either an ent surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon. Anyone can be fine. Hope you understood what I meant.Thank you and have a healthy day.
Dr Rohit

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad