title: Neck masses: evaluation and diagnostic approach.
abstract: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently deal with patients who present with an unknown neck mass. Formulation of a differential diagnosis is essential and requires that the surgeon bring to bear a host of skills to systematically arrive at a definitive diagnosis and ensure that the correct treatment is rendered. This article highlights some of the skills needed in the workup of neck masses and reviews some of the available techniques that aid in achieving the correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL 32246, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D001706:Biopsy; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004724:Endoscopy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009333:Neck; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000175:diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography