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What Do Swollen And Sore Glands On Neck After Laser Tattoo Removal Indicate?
Question: had laser tattoo removal on upper arm 4 weeks ago. within 48 hours my parotid and other neck glands swollen and sore. been to my MD and they say no possible causation. blood work normal. no one can tell me what is going on. it has been 5 weeks and it is worse than ever.
Brief Answer:
Can be infective, reactive or allergic like eosinophilic.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
To recapitulate: Female/55 - on levothyroxine as got treated for thyroid cancer in 2012 - had laser treatment for tattoo removal upper arm 4 weeks ago - within 48 hours the parotid and other neck glands got swollen and sore - MD says no possible cause - blood work normal - been 5 weeks and it is worse than ever - treatment history is of antibiotics...
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
- Ultrasonography of the parotid and neck glands and guided FNAC of the nodes. This will help to get a probable diagnosis as to shy the swelling has occurred.
- If the result is like eosinophilic infiltration or reactive hyperplasia, I would advise a short course of oral steroids in tapering dosages on empirical basis and see for the results.
- If due to infection or so n extended course of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines will take care of.
It is possibly due to the following reasons:
-Reactive hyperplasia, where we can not get a definite cause as a diagnosis.
-Eosinophilic infiltration of the salivary glands is known to occur as a primary reason for such an appearance.
-Specific reason may also be found on Investigations as mentioned above by ultrasonography/'MRI, FNAC or biopsy.
-A part of the autoimmune response can not be ruled out and again the treatment is steroids.
I would like to know a few more details for me to assist more:
- Was there any fever or chills?
- The enlargement was sudden or gradually growing over a few days?
- Any other associated symptoms that you have like dryness of the throat and eyes? Any difficulty in swallowing or pain during chewing?
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis and help planning the further management. Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel so or if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Can be infective, reactive or allergic like eosinophilic.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
To recapitulate: Female/55 - on levothyroxine as got treated for thyroid cancer in 2012 - had laser treatment for tattoo removal upper arm 4 weeks ago - within 48 hours the parotid and other neck glands got swollen and sore - MD says no possible cause - blood work normal - been 5 weeks and it is worse than ever - treatment history is of antibiotics...
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
- Ultrasonography of the parotid and neck glands and guided FNAC of the nodes. This will help to get a probable diagnosis as to shy the swelling has occurred.
- If the result is like eosinophilic infiltration or reactive hyperplasia, I would advise a short course of oral steroids in tapering dosages on empirical basis and see for the results.
- If due to infection or so n extended course of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines will take care of.
It is possibly due to the following reasons:
-Reactive hyperplasia, where we can not get a definite cause as a diagnosis.
-Eosinophilic infiltration of the salivary glands is known to occur as a primary reason for such an appearance.
-Specific reason may also be found on Investigations as mentioned above by ultrasonography/'MRI, FNAC or biopsy.
-A part of the autoimmune response can not be ruled out and again the treatment is steroids.
I would like to know a few more details for me to assist more:
- Was there any fever or chills?
- The enlargement was sudden or gradually growing over a few days?
- Any other associated symptoms that you have like dryness of the throat and eyes? Any difficulty in swallowing or pain during chewing?
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis and help planning the further management. Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel so or if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you.
no pain when chewing
enlargement has definitely been gradual. at first thought it was stress, tight jaw at night etc (going through nasty divorce) so attributed to that. then I notices more swelling by my ear area -
no dryness of eyes or throat actually it seems like I have to much saliva in my mouth. no foul taste and my gland at the bottom of my mouth slightly red but not absessed
no fever or chills
also curious about this:
http://www.YYYYYY.com/ds/levothyroxine+sodium/pYYYYY
I have just hit 3 years on this drug.
no pain when chewing
enlargement has definitely been gradual. at first thought it was stress, tight jaw at night etc (going through nasty divorce) so attributed to that. then I notices more swelling by my ear area -
no dryness of eyes or throat actually it seems like I have to much saliva in my mouth. no foul taste and my gland at the bottom of my mouth slightly red but not absessed
no fever or chills
also curious about this:
http://www.YYYYYY.com/ds/levothyroxine+sodium/pYYYYY
I have just hit 3 years on this drug.
Brief Answer:
Levothyroxine probably not a cause....
Detailed Answer:
I can understand the stress you must have been going.
Thanks for your detailed feedback.
The number of people getting parotid swelling after starting levothyroxine very very less, hence can not be really attributed.
I would go by the investigations and the treatment as already discussed above to get a proper diagnosis and management.
Levothyroxine probably not a cause....
Detailed Answer:
I can understand the stress you must have been going.
Thanks for your detailed feedback.
The number of people getting parotid swelling after starting levothyroxine very very less, hence can not be really attributed.
I would go by the investigations and the treatment as already discussed above to get a proper diagnosis and management.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you. I will do so. is this best done by an Otolaryngologist or will regular MD do. I have just finished a course of anti biotics which had no effect whatsoever.
Brief Answer:
Thanks- ENT will be a better choice to start with.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
I think the Otolaryngologist will be a better choice.
Hopeful to get an early diagnosis and treatment.
Wishing you all the best.
Thanks- ENT will be a better choice to start with.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
I think the Otolaryngologist will be a better choice.
Hopeful to get an early diagnosis and treatment.
Wishing you all the best.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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