neck swellings derived from paired lateral structures
Last reviewed 01/2018
These swelling tend to lie laterally in the neck.
The commonest causes of a swelling derived from a lateral paired structure are:
- congenital anomalies
(1)
- branchial anomalies
- the most common congenital masses in the lateral neck
- these masses include:
- cysts (branchial cysts)
- sinuses
- fistulae
- these may be seen along the sternocleidomastoid muscle
- others congenital anomalies of the lateral neck include
(1)
- cystic hygromas (lymphangiomas)
- dermoids
- branchial anomalies
- other lesions include:
- lymph node enlargement
- thyroid swellings
- salivary gland tumours
- sternomastoid tumour
- cervical rib
- carotid artery aneurysms
- arteriovenous fistula
- carotid body tumour
- actinomycosis
- muscle tumours
- clavicular tumours
- spinal abscesses
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