Why Do I Have A Noticeable Sized Lump On The Left Side Of My Jaw Near My Ear?

Posted on Sat, 25 Aug 2018

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

Sat, 25 Aug 2018 Answered on

Tue, 5 Apr 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello. I have a good sized lump on the left side of my jaw near my ear. I popped out as I was eating an apple.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please give additional information

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Please give additional information for me to assist you better:
Since when is the swelling present?
Any pain or tenderness (pain on pressure)?
Does it reduce in sized on its own?
Does it increase in size while eating or drinking anything that increases salivation?
Any redness or warmth on touching?
Do you have any medical problems like diabetes?
Any other information please.

Awaiting for your feedback.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (21 hours later)

Please give additional information for me to assist you better:
Since when is the swelling present? started yesterday afternoon while eating an apple. Jaw became very painful and hard to close my mouth. Lump popped out.
Any pain or tenderness (pain on pressure)? Very hard and painful. Wrapped down under jaw.
Does it reduce in sized on its own? It reduced overnight with Ibuprofen and lots of water.
Does it increase in size while eating or drinking anything that increases salivation? was definitely more painful while eating but not sure the size changed.
Any redness or warmth on touching? Very warm to touch.
Do you have any medical problems like diabetes? No diabetes but papillary thyroid cancer with metastasized to six lymph nodes. Surgery and radioactive iodine treatments.
Any other information please.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Parotid gland affection

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Since the lump popped out in a region of a parotid salivary gland while eating an apple the most probable diagnosis is a stone or some obstruction in the duct that carries saliva from Parotid gland to the mouth.
It reduces over time if there is an emptying of saliva and recurs on eating or so.

Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Continue Ibuprofen three times a day.
Get a consultation of your Doctor.
X-ray of the affected area to know for any stone.
Ultrasonography also helps.
Further investigations and management as per the cause thus found.
You may need an antibiotic, needs a valid prescription as there is tenderness and hotness.

Please get these things done as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and management.
Please give feedback.

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