What Causes Painful Lump On Neck?

Posted on Sat, 6 Sep 2014

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

Sat, 6 Sep 2014 Answered on

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My 20 year old son has a painful lump on his neck, behind and below his ear. It's hard and about the size of a small marshmallow. He hasn't been sick or tired and denies any other symptoms. What kind of tests do you think he needs, if any?

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Usg guided fnac

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have read your query
I note that outside of the swelling, he has no other symptom.
I feel you should get a usg of the swelling done.
And if needed, a usg guided fnac can be scheduled in the same sitting.
This way will give the exact diagnosis of what the swelling may be
I dont think we should leave the swelling untested.
It may be some kind of subclinical infected lymph node or a salivary gland involvement.
So a fnac will tell us if the thing is treatable,
And if needed, we may be able to make the swelling disappear

Best of luck
Dr Mittal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar