How Can A Painful Swelling On The Neck Be Treated?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jun 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : my 13 yr old daughter as a swollen area on the lower back of her head, but above the hairline. Its not very large but it is causing pain on the same side of her neck when she leans forwards or backwards. Se was recently diagnosed with a slight ear infection but in the left ear. She is 4'11" and about 150lbs.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (-5 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

The swollen area on the back of her neck is likely to be a swollen lymph node due to the ear infection she is having.

For this, a FNAB (fine needle aspiration biopsy) of the lymph nodes and swollen glands is the best test. FNAB is aspiration of the material of the glands which is done by a fine gauge needle (22 or 25 gauge) and a syringe. This will confirm the diagnosis as swollen neck glands are often caused by an infection, allergic reactions or metabolic diseases.

Usually the lymph nodes take 3-4 weeks after the infection is over to come back to their normal size.

I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. If there are additional concerns, I am available for your followups.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

I just wanted to double check that this would still be the case with the infected ear on the opposite side of the swollen a?rea

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

Hello.

Thanks for writing back.
Infected ear on the opposite side can also lead to swelling of lymph nodes on both the sides of neck. The lymphatic drainage communicates to both the sides of the neck. So, in your daughter's case it seems to be a lymph node swelling only.
Sincerely hope it will help.
Wishing you an early recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar