University of sulaimani

College of dentistry

Prepared by: Belan wahid

Neck swelling examination

What is neck swelling?

Neck swelling is a buildup of fluid in the tissues of the neck or

inflammation in the neck. Neck swelling may be due to an infection,
injury, or a recent medical procedure. Benign skin conditions can
make small areas of the neck appear swollen.

What is neck swelling examination?

The neck mass is measured to determine consistency (ie, whether it

is soft and elastic, rubbery, or hard), as well as the degree of
tenderness. It must also be determined whether the mass is
completely mobile or appears to be attached to the skin or
underlying tissue. Examine the neck for any scars, lumps, glandular
or nodal enlargement, and also for a visual examination. Examine
the trachea, noticing any irregularities. Next, examine the thyroid
gland as the patient swallows, noticing any swelling.

What is the test for neck swelling?

FNAC is an easy and suitable tool for the assessment of patients

with neck swellings in the outpatient clinics. Although its diagnostic
accuracy is limited as compared to tissue biopsy but it is a good test
for both screening and follow-up.
What causes swelling in the neck ?

There are many reasons for lumps in the neck. Enlarged lymph
nodes are the most common lumps or swellings. They can be
caused by viral or viral infections, cancer (malignancy), or other
unusual causes. Swollen salivary glands under the jaw can be
caused by infection or cancer.

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck usually caused by diseases such as

:

 Ear infection
 Cold or flu
 Sinus infection
 HIV infection
  Infected tooth
 Mononucleosis (mono)
 Skin infection
 Strep throat

The most common cause of neck swelling

Neck swelling may be due to an infection, injury, or a recent

medical procedure. Benign skin conditions can make small areas of
the neck appear swollen. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are a
common symptom of many viral and bacterial infections. An
enlarged thyroid gland is a known cause of neck swelling in adults.

What deficiency cause swelling in the neck?

This process is called metabolism. Iodine deficiency is the most

common cause of goiter. The body needs iodine to produce thyroid
hormone.

How do you examine swelling?Fluctuation can be assessed by

placing the index and middle finger of one hand (somewhat apart)
on the swelling, with the index finger of the other hand placed in
between these two fingers. With these fingers, alternate
downwards pressure on the lesion.
What are normal findings in neck exam ?

The trachea should be midline, and there should be no noticeable

enlargement of lymph nodes or the thyroid gland. Take note of the
patient's expression. They should be able to express themselves
clearly with no slurring or garbled terms.

Why is neck swelling on one side ?

The unilateral nature of your neck swelling may signal different

things depending on the cause. For example, the swelling can be
one-sided because the lymph nodes on that particular side are
more activated in comparison to the other. In the same vein, a
salivary gland on only one side may be infected.

Can stress cause neck swelling?

When the body is stressed, swollen glands in the neck are normal.
These nodes become inflamed and sensitive as our body fights
infection. Swollen neck glands are often indicative of an upper
respiratory disease.

How long neck swelling lasts?

Neck swelling or swollen lymph nodes are usually signs of an

infection. They will resolve on their own in a few weeks in the
majority of cases. However, if the swelling persists and does not
subside naturally, it could indicate other health conditions, such as
cancer.

How do you know if a neck lump is serious?

You may need medical attention for a neck lump if you have the
following signs and symptoms: The lump lasts longer than two to
three weeks. The lump gets larger. The lump gets smaller but does
not completely go away.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will begin by gathering facts about your medical history and
performing a physical exam. Based on where in the body you live, they may
have an idea what is causing your glands to swell. To learn more about what's
going on, they may also recommend one of these tests:

Blood test
X-ray
sUltrasound: High-frequency sound waves are used for your doctor
to see what is happening inside your body.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan: A powerful magnet and
radio waves are used to create detailed images of your organs and
tissues.
A biopsy is a term used to describe the phase of Under a
microscope, lymph node tissue is removed and examined.

PET scan: Tests chemical activity in parts of your body. It can help
identify a variety of conditions, such as some cancers, heart
disease, and brain disorders. This is done less frequently.
Computed tomography: A series of X-rays are taken from different
angles and put together to form a more complete image.

When to visit a doctor?

Most times, the swelling reduces and then disappears in 2 to 3

weeks after the body has successfully fought off the infection. If the
problem persists for more than a couple of weeks, it could warrant
a visit to the doctor.

Other reasons to visit the doctor include:

A lymph node that to the touch feels stiff or

rubbery .

A node that does not move freely.

A node with a diameter of an inch or

moreSwollen lymph nodes that accompany
night sweats, abdominal pain, unexplained
weight loss, or high fever.

Home remedies
If the swollen lymph nodes are not caused by something serious,
they will go away on their own. A few things can help with any
discomfort while you wait for it to run its course:

 Warm compress: A washcloth rinsed in hot water and placed

on the painful area can help relieve pain.
 Rest: Getting a good night's rest can help you get over a minor
illness faster.
 Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen, aspirin,
ibuprofen, or naproxen can make you feel better. (Talk to your
doctor before giving aspirin to children or teens.)

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