Neck Masses

Neck Masses

Dr. Abdullah Alkhalil
MRCS-ENT(UK), DOHNS(UK)
FJMC, Higher Speciality
1

Anatomy

Contained within the neck are several triangles, defined anatomically. Familiarity with these specific areas assists in generating a differential diagnosis of neck masses by the exact anatomic location.




2

Anatomy

Anterior Neck
The structures that make up the anterior neck include the larynx, trachea, esophagus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, carotid sheath, and suprahyoid and infrahyoid strap muscles.




3

Anatomy

Triangular regions also define the anterior neck anatomically.
The submandibular triangle is a region contained in the anterior neck bordered by the inferior margin of the mandible and the digastric, stylohyoid, and mylohyoid muscles. This region contains the submandibular gland and the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. The submental triangle defines a region bordered by the hyoid bone, the paired anterior bellies of the digastric muscles, and the mylohyoid muscle. The upper belly of the omohyoid muscle in the anterior neck further divides the anterior neck into an upper carotid triangle and a lower muscular triangle.
4

Anatomy

Lateral Neck
The lateral neck, also referred to as the posterior triangle, is defined by the posterior aspects of the sternocleidomastoid muscle medially, the trapezius muscle laterally, and the middle third of the clavicle inferiorly. The lateral neck contains lymph node, the spinal accessory nerve, and the cervical plexus. The inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle further defines a lower subclavian triangle in the lateral neck that contains the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels.

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Introduction

Common clinical finding
All age groups
Very complex differential diagnosis
Systematic approach essential
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General Considerations
Patient age
Pediatric (0 – 15 years): 90% benign
Young adult (16 – 40 years): similar to pediatric
Late adult (>40 years): “rule of 80s”
Location
Congenital masses: consistent in location
Metastatic masses: key to primary lesion

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Metastasis Location according to Various Primary Lesions

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Diagnostic Steps

History
Developmental time course
Associated symptoms (dysphagia, otalgia, voice)
Personal habits (tobacco, alcohol)
Previous irradiation or surgery
Physical Examination
Complete head and neck exam (visualize & palpate)
Emphasis on location, mobility and consistency
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Empirical Antibiotics
Inflammatory mass suspected
Two week trial of antibiotics
Follow-up for further investigation
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Diagnostic Tests

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Ultrasonography
PET- Scan
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Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

Standard of diagnosis
Indications
Any neck mass that is not an obvious abscess
Persistence after a 2 week course of antibiotics
Small gauge needle
Reduces bleeding
Seeding of tumor – not a concern
No contraindications (vascular ?)


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Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

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Computed Tomography

Distinguish cystic from solid
Extent of lesion
Vascularity (with contrast)
Detection of unknown primary (metastatic)
Pathologic node (lucent, >1.5cm, loss of shape)
Avoid contrast in thyroid lesions

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Computed Tomography

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Similar information as CT
Better for upper neck and skull base
Vascular delineation with infusion
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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Ultrasonography

Less important now with FNAB
Solid versus cystic masses
Congenital cysts from solid nodes/tumors
Noninvasive (pediatric)
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Ultrasonography

YROID
ASS
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Nodal Mass Workup in the Adult

Any solid asymmetric mass must be considered a metastatic neoplastic lesion until proven otherwise
Asymptomatic cervical mass – 12% of cancer
~ 80% of these are SCCa
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Nodal Mass Workup in the Adult

Ipsilateral otalgia with normal otoscopy – direct attention to tonsil, tongue base, supraglottis and hypopharynx
Unilateral serous otitis – direct examination of nasopharynx
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Nodal Mass Workup in the Adult

Panendoscopy
FNAB positive with no primary on repeat exam
FNAB equivocal/negative in high risk patient
Directed Biopsy
All suspicious mucosal lesions
Areas of concern on CT/MRI
None observed – nasopharynx, tonsil (ipsilateral tonsillectomy for jugulodigastric nodes), base of tongue and piriforms
Synchronous primaries (10 to 20%)


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Nodal Mass Workup in the Adult

Open excisional biopsy
Only if complete workup negative
Occurs in ~5% of patients
Be prepared for a complete neck dissection
Frozen section results (complete node excision)
Inflammatory or granulomatous – culture
Lymphoma or adenocarcinoma – close wound

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Differential Diagnosis

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Primary Tumors

Thyroid mass
Lymphoma
Salivary tumors
Lipoma


Carotid body and glomus tumors
Neurogenic tumors
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Thyroid Masses

Leading cause of anterior neck masses
Children
Most common neoplastic condition
Male predominance
Higher incidence of malignancy
Adults
Female predominance
Mostly benign
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Thyroid Masses

Lymph node metastasis
Initial symptom in 15% of papillary carcinomas
40% with malignant nodules
Histologically (microscopic) in >90%
FNAB has replaced USG and radionucleotide scanning
Decreases # of patients with surgery
Increased # of malignant tumors found at surgery
Doubled the # of cases followed up
Unsatisfactory aspirate – repeat in 1 month
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Thyroid Masses


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Lymphoma

More common in children and young adults
Up to 80% of children with Hodgkin’s have a neck mass
Signs and symptoms
Lateral neck mass only (discrete, rubbery, nontender)
Fever
Hepatosplenomegaly
Diffuse adenopathy
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Lymphoma

FNAB – first line diagnostic test
If suggestive of lymphoma – open biopsy
Full workup – CT scans of chest, abdomen, head and neck; bone marrow biopsy
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Lymphoma


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Salivary Gland Tumors

Enlarging mass anterior/inferior to ear or at the mandible angle is suspect
Benign
Asymptomatic except for mass
Malignant
Rapid growth, skin fixation, cranial nerve palsies
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Salivary Gland Tumors

Diagnostic tests
Open excisional biopsy (submandibulectomy or parotidectomy) preferred
FNAB
Shown to reduce surgery by 1/3 in some studies
Delineates intra-glandular lymph node, localized sialadenitis or benign lymphoepithelial cysts
May facilitate surgical planning and patient counseling
Accuracy >90% (sensitivity: ~90%; specificity: ~80%)
CT/MRI – deep lobe tumors, intra vs. extra-parotid
Be prepared for total parotidectomy with possible facial nerve sacrifice
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Salivary Gland Tumors


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Carotid Body Tumor

Rare in children
Pulsatile, compressible mass
Mobile medial/lateral not superior/inferior
Clinical diagnosis, confirmed by angiogram or CT
Treatment
Irradiation or close observation in the elderly
Surgical resection for small tumors in young patients
Hypotensive anesthesia
Preoperative measurement of catecholamines

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Carotid Body Tumor

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Lipoma

Soft, ill-defined mass
Usually >35 years of age
Asymptomatic
Clinical diagnosis – confirmed by excision
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Lipoma

38

Congenital and Developmental Mass

Epidermal and sebaceous cysts
Branchial cleft cysts
Thyroglossal duct cyst
Vascular tumors
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Epidermal and Sebaceous Cysts
Most common congenital/developmental mass
Older age groups
Clinical diagnosis
Elevation and movement of overlying skin
Skin dimple or pore
Excisional biopsy confirms
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Epidermal and Sebaceous Cysts

41

Branchial Cleft Cysts

Branchial cleft anomalies
2nd cleft most common (95%) – tract medial to cnXII between internal and external carotids
1st cleft less common – close association with facial nerve possible
3rd and 4th clefts rarely reported
Present in older children or young adults often following URI
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Branchial Cleft Cysts




43

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst

Most common congenital neck mass (70%)
50% present before age 20
Midline (75%) or near midline (25%)
Usually just inferior to hyoid bone (65%)
Elevates on swallowing/protrusion of tongue
Treatment is surgical removal (Sis trunk) after resolution of any infection
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Thyroglossal Duct Cyst

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Vascular Tumors

Lymphangiomas and hemangiomas
Usually within 1st year of life
Hemangiomas often resolve spontaneously, while lymphangiomas remain unchanged
CT/MRI may help define extent of disease
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Vascular Tumors

Treatment
Lymphangioma – surgical excision for easily accessible or lesions affecting vital functions; recurrence is common
Hemangiomas – surgical excision reserved for those with rapid growth involving vital structures or associated thrombocytopenia that fails medical therapy (steroids, interferon)
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Vascular Tumors (lymphangioma)

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Vascular Tumors (hemangioma)


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Inflammatory Disorders

Lymphadenitis
Granulomatous lymphadenitis
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Lymphadenitis

Very common, especially within 1st decade
Tender node with signs of systemic infection
Directed antibiotic therapy with follow-up
FNAB indications (pediatric)
Actively infectious condition with no response
Progressively enlarging
Solitary and asymmetric nodal mass
Supraclavicular mass (60% malignancy)
Persistent nodal mass without active infection
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Lymphadenopathy

Equivocal or suspicious FNAB in the pediatric nodal mass requires open excisional biopsy to rule out malignant or granulomatous disease
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Granulomatous lymphadenitis

Infection develops over weeks to months
Minimal systemic complaints or findings
Common etiologies
TB, atypical TB, cat-scratch fever, actinomycosis, sarcoidosis
Firm, relatively fixed node with injection of skin

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Granulomatous lymphadenitis

Typical M. tuberculosis
more common in adults
Posterior triangle nodes
Rarely seen in our population
Usually responds to anti-TB medications
May require excisional biopsy for further workup
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Granulomatous lymphadenitis
Atypical M. tuberculosis
Pediatric age groups
Anterior triangle nodes
Brawny skin, induration and pain
Usually responds to complete surgical excision or curettage
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Granulomatous lymphadenitis

Cat-scratch fever (Bartonella)
Pediatric group
Preauricular and submandibular nodes
Spontaneous resolution with or without antibiotics
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Granulomatous lymphadenitis

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Summary

Extensive differential diagnosis
Age of patient is important
Accurate history and complete exam essential
FNAB – invaluable diagnostic tool
Possibility for malignancy in any age group
Close follow-up and aggressive approach is best for favorable outcomes
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