
What Causes Loss Of Voice With Normal Endoscopy And Feeling Something Behind Jaw Line?

Lymph node or the mastoid tip...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query and an elaborate history. I'll try my best to help you with this problem.
The commonest structures which we come across the area described by you are:
1. Jugulodigastric lymph node
2. Tail of parotid gland
3. Tip of the mastoid bone
4. Elongated styloid process
5. Thickened or calcified stylo-hyoid ligament, etc.
After going through the description given by you, I do feel, you could be palpating either a lymph node or the mastoid tip. I doubt anything serious, as you have already got an endoscopic examination done.
If you are still concerned about your finding, please get an ultrasound of the neck done with or without a CT Scan. These investigations will pick up any abnormal structures in Jugulodigastric region.
Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


I watched my uncle pass away in hospice in April 2014, from a terrible neck cancer which protruded from his neck and I have been very freaky about anything with my body, especially the same area and side of neck. He smoked his whole life including work hazards. Nothing that I know is hereditary. My sister thinks I may have a light case of post traumatic stress disorder because of his death?
Also, I do not smoke, No drugs, but I like my light beer.
My father felt the area as well, noticing the cylindrical feeling object that rolls around when pushed. He said that it may be my fatty cheeks that has possibly altered the touch of whatever it is. Sometimes i think I feel a mass under that rolling little object, but I don't know if it is just inflamed tissues from me prodding at it.
I have read also online that no other symptoms occur in some cancer cases that reported a mass or lump. This is the result of searching the neck area with most posts referring to cancer! Frustrating...
Thanks again!
Cylindrical structure felt is sternocleidomastoid
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
I do understand your concern, but, it is not necessary that any swelling noticed in the neck should be a precursor of malignancy.
After going through your history thoroughly, I don't see any signs or symptoms in you which can lead to cancer. Oral or laryngeal cancers do not run in families. In exceptional cases, thyroid malignancies can be seen in multiple individuals in a family.
Also, there should be predisposing factors such as long history of smoking, alcohol, tobacco chewing, etc. Your uncle had those habits, hence he succumbed to it. Just by drinking beer once in a while, an individual cannot get malignancies.
If you are still concerned, get a complete blood check up done, along with an ultrasound of the neck with or without CT Scan. This will help to clarify all your doubts.
Finally, the cylindrical structure felt by your father is the sternocleidomastoid muscle. My humble suggestion to you is, to stop worrying and get yourself completely examined.
Hope I have cleared your doubts. I wish you good health and good luck.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Thanks!
No major vessels are palpable in that area...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
You are right Sternocleidomastoid is rather a large muscle in the middle part, but, at its attachment it is a thin bundle.
Around the area described by you there are no major blood vessels in the superficial part which is palpable. The internal carotid artery lies deeper to the sternocleidomastoid and is not palpable in the Jugulodigastric triangle.
Hope I have cleared your doubts.
Good luck
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Answered by

Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2545 Questions
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