pediatric neck masses

Neck Masses In Children

Diagnosing And Treating Non-Cancerous Neck Lumps

Pediatric neck masses are swollen lumps in the neck that are common in babies and small children. While some babies are born with a bump in the neck as a congenital condition, other children show signs of lumps due to infection or illness. It can be concerning as a parent to find a new lump on your child’s neck—thankfully, most lumps are non-cancerous. Still, it is best to have any lumps examined by our team at Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat, as it may be infected or need to be removed.

Types Of Neck Masses

Neck masses can either be congenital (present at birth) or develop later in infancy and childhood. Rarely, lumps can be cancerous. The most common types of non-congenital lumps are:

  • Cyst: A cyst is a non-cancerous pocket of tissue under the skin’s surface.

  • Swollen lymph nodes: Lymph nodes are small structures that assist in the body’s immune response to illness and foreign substances. Lymph nodes become inflamed and swollen when the body is fighting off an infection or illness.

  • Infected salivary gland: Salivary glands are located just below the ear. When infected, glands may become swollen and inflamed.

  • Benign tumor: Also known as a non-cancerous tumor, benign tumors on the neck are growths that cannot spread.

Pediatric neck masses can either be congenital (present at birth) or develop later in infancy and childhood. Rarely, lumps can be cancerous. The most common types of non-congenital lumps are:

Diagnosing And Treating Neck Masses In Children

If your child has a neck mass, it is important to schedule an appointment with our team. While most masses are not cancerous, they may still need to be treated for an infection or removed.

During your child’s appointment, our team will review your child’s medical history, thoroughly examine the area and make an expert diagnosis. Depending on the nature of your child’s mass, our team may prescribe antibiotics to treat an infection, drain fluid and in some cases, schedule a surgical procedure.

To schedule an appointment, call us at (804) 484-3700.