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Neck swellings derived from paired lateral structures

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

These swelling tend to lie laterally in the neck.

The commonest causes of a swelling derived from a lateral paired structure are:

  • congenital anomalies (1)
    • branchial anomalies
      • the most common congenital masses in the lateral neck
      • these masses include:
        • cysts (branchial cysts)
        • sinuses
        • fistulae
    • these may be seen along the sternocleidomastoid muscle
    • others congenital anomalies of the lateral neck include (1)
      • cystic hygromas (lymphangiomas)
      • dermoids
  • other lesions include:
    • lymph node enlargement
    • thyroid swellings
    • salivary gland tumours
    • sternomastoid tumour
    • cervical rib
    • carotid artery aneurysms
    • arteriovenous fistula
    • carotid body tumour
    • actinomycosis
    • muscle tumours
    • clavicular tumours
    • spinal abscesses

Reference:


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