[How to explore ... a cervical mass in the child].
The discovery of a cervical mass in a child suggests several possible diagnoses ranging from benign conditions to more severe pathologies, even cancer. Parents often worry and consult a physician when such a mass fails to regress after a few weeks. Palpation of small and solid lymph nodes is commonplace and generally trivial in children. A detailed clinical history and a careful examination often allow a distinction to be made between a benign and a serious condition. Additional tests are needed in case of doubt or in the prospect of reaching an precise aetiological diagnosis. These exams should be selected according to a decision algorithm. The investigation remains delicate. When the physician is convinced of the benign nature of the lymphadenopathy, there is no real need to identify the aetiology with the greatest precision, especially in acute cases with bilateral nodes that are commonly benign and spontaneously resolve.
Costa de Araujo
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Universitié de Liège, Belgique.
Battisti
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O
D002648:Child; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003657:Decision Making; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination