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What Causes Movable Hard Painless Lump On Right-side Of Neck?

Posted on Fri, 3 Jul 2015

Question: Recently I found a rock hard, immovable, painless lump on the right side of my neck that has more than doubled in size in two weeks. Since then another has formed on the left side of my neck. Today I noticed a swollen lymph node in front of my ear. My doctor ordered an ultrasound of my thyroid which was slightly swollen, but the technician ignored my request to sonogram the hard lymph nodes. What is your suggestion as my next step?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should do Ultrasound of whole neck to find out lump/lymph node in neck

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

In my opinion , you should do Ultrasound of whole neck to find out lump or lymph node in neck . Most lump or lymph node are inflammatory .

If I were your treating doctor , I would advice
consult ENT specialist & get ENT with head neck examination done to rule any pathology for lymph node swelling.
Do Ultrasound of whole neck to find out nature of lump or lymph node . If inflammatory lymph node found use anti inflammatory medication to get relief .

If lump or lymph node doesn't subside with anti inflammatory medication FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) needed .

Hope this information helpful to you .If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (19 minutes later)

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I have a couple more questions. First, would an inflammatory response result in hard immovable lymph nodes? I have had the spongy movable kind before that have been a result of an infection, but this is definitely different. And second, would and Ultrasound or CT Scan provide more information? And lastly, I have been taking Diclofenac as prescribed for tension headaches. Isn't this an anti inflammatory medication? Should this medication have helped to reduce the inflammation if these are inflammatory?

Thanks again for all of your help!

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes , Diclofenac is a anti inflammatory medication .

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow up query.

Hard immovable lymph node mostly due to tumor in head neck region but examination finding should be conformed by specialist .

CT Scan neck will be more informative than Ultrasound but costlier & carry risk of radiation exposure . Hence Ultrasound should be done first & if more information & intervention needed CT Scan can be advised .

Yes , Diclofenac is a anti inflammatory medication . It will reduce lymph node inflammation .

I would advice , consult ENT specialist & get ENT with head neck examination done . Do investigation Ultrasound of whole neck & if hard lymph node seen FNAC can be done .

FNAC will confirm diagnosis .

Hope this information helpful to you .
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar