What Causes Lump At Back Of Neck And Behind Ear?

Posted on Sat, 29 Nov 2014

Question: hi i have a lump at the back of my neck. left side just below the hairline near the back of my ear.. it is not painful and is not soft to touch. I need help .. I noticed this last year

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Post-auricular lymph node/mastoid bone...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

The swelling behind the ear could be either a lymph node or the mastoid bone. Both of them are firm or hard in consistency.

Lymph nodes are like policemen in the body which prop up when there is infection in the surrounding region. In your case, it could be either due to folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle) or dandruff.

Do not worry! If it is not hurting you, nothing should be done. Just keep observing for any enlargement. If it enlarges, then oral antibiotics are required.

Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (26 minutes later)

hi doc it is not directly behind the ear.. i think it 2 inches away from the ear .. and just below the hairline and yes it not painful... i noticed this last year... i researched about this and it always says it cancer ... i am really worried. i am from the philippines

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I doubt malignancy...Get an FNAC done..,

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

If the swelling is around two inches below the ear, then it is a lymph node of posterior triangle of the neck.

Again, I would like to stress, it could be a harmless lymph node; I doubt cancer. A hard and fixed lymph node is often suspected to be malignant.

If you are still apprehensive, get a Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) done to rule out malignancy. And, a thorough examination of the neck, throat and oral cavity is required to identity the cause.

Hope I have clarified your doubts. Revert back to me if you have any further queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (11 minutes later)

Hi doc thanks for the reply. Im sorry i have lots of questions regarding the lump.. my lump is located almost in the middle between my spine and ear but a little bit more on the ear side. You cant see it but if u touch it u can feel a hard lump like a bone that doesnt move and doesnt feel any pain when touch...

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
USG, FNAC and CT Scan of the neck is required.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

Please do not feel sorry. You have hired us to clarify your doubts, I would be glad to answer any number of queries.

I do understand why you were so apprehensive. Hard lymph node swelling needs to be evaluated. Consult your doctor and request for an ultrasound (USG) neck to assess the extension of the lymph node and also get a FNAC done. FNAC gives us an approximate idea of what type of lymph node it is. A CT scan of the neck will aid in further diagnosis.

Revert back to me if you have any more doubts.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (5 hours later)

so doc is it normal to have a lymph node swelling since last year?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it is perfectly normal...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

Yes, it's perfectly normal to have a lymph node for more than a year. But, I am little concerned about you. I would suggest you get a complete evaluation done to be on a safer side.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (33 minutes later)

thanks doc

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you Good Luck and good health

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Wish you Good Luck and good health. Please keep me informed about your visit to the doctor.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

hi doc , went to the surgeon already.. she told me that it might be cyst or a muscle...its almost 2cm..she told me that if it changes in size and if i feel any pain thats the time i need to have it checked again and maybe do some skull exray or ultra sound

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get an ultrasound of the neck...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

I would prefer to get an ultrasound of the neck first, with or without FNAC, followed by a CT scan of the neck. Once all the necessary investigations are done and found to be normal, you will have peace of mind.

X-ray of the skull or spine will not give a proper picture of your problem.

Hope this clarifies your doubts.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari