A prospective study of neck mass excluding thyroid nodules in one hospital

Abstract number: 1135_60

Zangeneh M.

Introduction:  

A mass in the neck is a common clinical finding that presents in patients of all age groups. The differential diagnosis may be extremely broad, and although most masses are due to benign processes, malignant disease must not be overlooked. Therefore, it is important for physicians to develop a systemic approach for developing a working diagnosis and management plan for the patient.

Objective:  

The aim of this study is to evaluate neck masses and their etiology except thyroid nodules.

Materials and Methods:  

This is a Cross-Sectional Prospective study on 155 patients who has been referred to adult infectious diseases clinic with neck mass from 1999/March/20 to 2003/March/19. In this study correlation between neck mass and age, sex, initial time, size, number, position, sign, symptom, and etiology has been evaluated.

Results:  

Thirty-two patients did not accept more evaluation, the findings of 123 patient left include: 47/3% men, 52/7% women, 43/6% single, 56/4% married; 8% less than 10-years-old, 28% 10–19-years-old, 22% 20–29-years-old, 7/4% 30–39-years-old, 10/2% 40–49-years-old, 10/2% 50–59-years-old, 6/6% more than 60-years-old; time of neck mass in 24/1% less than one month, 29/9% 2–3 months, 21/8% 4–6 months, 10/3% 7–12 months, 13/8% more than 12 months; mass position 42/8% on left side of neck, 29/7% on right side of neck, 24/1% on both sides, 2/8% on midline, 0/7% on occiput; number of mass 59/4% one mass, 6/3% 2 masses, 34/3% 3 or more than 3 masses; also size of masses was evaluated. 30% have signs and symptom, the more common signs are lymphadenopathy on the axilar and hepatomegaly, 13/6% have past history. Etiology: 35% toxoplasmosis, 14/6% tuberculosis, 13% cancer, 8/5% bacterial lymphadenitis, 6/3% viral infections, 4/8% lymph node hyperplasia with unknown ethiology, 4/8% salivary glands infections, 1/6% thyroiditis and ectopic thyroid, 1/6% infected cyst, 1/6% brucellosis, 0/8% lypoma.

Conclusion:  

According to the results that TB and cancer are more common in the adult, it is important that in any patient with neck mass physician to develop a systemic approach for developing a working diagnosis and management plan for the patient. Supported by Azad Islamic University