Lateral neck lumps are very common in children, and are largely benign in nature. The majority of lumps may be diagnosed on history and clinical examination alone, and further investigations are often not required. The most common pathologies in young children include reactive lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis and atypical mycobacterial infections. A lateral neck lump is an uncommon presentation for malignancy and is largely restricted to older children and adolescents. The paediatric surgeon plays an important role in the assessment and management of lateral neck lumps, often in the form of reassurance to the patients and their carers.
Keywords: Mycobacterium avium intracellulare scrofulaceum; abscess; cervical lymphadenitis; lymphoma; reactive hyperplasia.
© 2017 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).