Some neck masses are present at birth. These happen because something didn’t develop the right way in the womb. Other neck masses can show up during a cold or sinus infection. Sometimes, they are only noticed when they get bigger or start to hurt. A neck mass can impact other parts of the head and neck, but most are not cancer.
Condition
Neck Masses and Cysts
Neck masses are common problems in infants and children.
What Are Neck Masses?
Types of Neck Masses
- Congenital muscular torticollis: An infant's neck muscles are short and tight, causing the neck to twist or head to tilt to one side
- Branchial cleft abnormalities: A mass in the neck that tends to enlarge with infection
- Thyroglossal duct cyst: A soft lump on the front, center of the neck that may get bigger with infection
- Dermoid cyst: A pocket or cavity under the skin that has tissues normally present in the outer layers of the skin
- Neck abscess: A collection of infected liquid (pus) in spaces between the structures of the neck
- Pilomatrixoma: A slow-growing, hard mass found beneath the skin
- Lymphatic masses: Masses in part of the immune system that fight disease and infections
- Lymphadenopathy: Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Lymphatic malformations: A mass made of abnormal blood or lymph vessel growth
- Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Types of cancer in the lymphatic system
Neck Mass Treatments We Offer
- Careful visual and physical examination of the child's neck
- Finding the specific location of the mass
- Checking for movement of the neck and the mass itself
- Looking for swelling, redness, warmth, tenderness, drainage or fluid in the mass
Treating neck masses depends on the type of mass and whether there is infection. Often, surgical removal of the mass is needed.
Why Choose Children’s Wisconsin for Neck Masses
Expert care: At Children's Wisconsin, our team of specialists treats conditions related to neck masses with expertise and compassion. We work with your whole family to provide the best care for your child's condition.
Large, multidisciplinary team: We have more than a dozen board-certified specialists who provide comprehensive pediatric ENT care at multiple locations. Our physicians participate and lead in many specialized multidisciplinary programs at Children’s Wisconsin.
Our Locations
Our Doctors
At Children's Wisconsin, our doctors are 100% committed to the health and well-being of kids. They care for every aspect of a child's health, including their physical, social, dental and mental well-being. We are a community of dedicated professionals who shares an unwavering passion to care for kids whenever and wherever they need us.
