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Suggest Treatment For Lump Behind The Ear

Posted on Wed, 13 May 2015

Question: I have a large lump behind my ear right on the mastoid bone which has been there my whole life but has gotten bigger over past year. Last year while doing a ct scan on my head dr said it was fluid which was common with children with ear infections. My primary dr says its mastoiditis but it been there for years?? my main worry is some type of cancerous lump....could it be that even though its been there so long?

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
seems to be osteoma.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having lump behind the ear. I would like to ask you few more details.

Is there any pain or tenderness over lump ?
Is your ear still discharging pus ?

Kindly get back to me with the details.

Based on your clinical details, it appears to be lymph node enlargement secondary to scalp or ear infection or mastoid osteoma.

As such, mastoiditis, is an acute inflammation can have pus through mastoid bone (mastoid fistula) or active ear discharge with out any treatment. It is not possible to have mastoiditis for a prolonged period.

I suggest you to to consult ent surgeon and get detailed ent examination, otoscopy (ear infection, status of ear drum), audiometry (associated hearing loss, eusthacian tube dysfunction) and repeat the CT scan of temporal bone. depending on the examination reports further treatment is required accordingly.

Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (2 hours later)

There is no discharge..and there is no pain. Also like i said i have had it all my life and it has never had any discharge. The Dr that did my ct scan stated it was a fluid buildup..My major concern is it likely to be cancerous?

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
ultrasound neck.

Detailed Answer:

Hello again,

Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.

Other possibilities could be lipoma or dermaoid cyst (fluid filled). I suggest you to do ultrasound neck with repeat ct scan of temporal bone. It is unlikely that fluid filled cysts going for a cancer. Anyways, kindly evaluate.

Hope, I have answered your query.

Take care.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta