Neck masses in paediatric population: An experience with children attended the Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics in Baghdad 2008-2009

Abstract

Background:Pediatric neck mass is a frequent cause for surgical consultation. Neck masses can be simply classified into congenital, inflammatory, and neoplastic. Although most of the cases are due to benign processes, malignant causes must not be overlooked. The aim of this study is to assess the paediatric neck masses in Iraqi patients highlighting the distribution of cases according to their demographic characteristics and etiology.Patients and Methods:A cross-sectional observed study is conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, at the Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics in Baghdad from April 2008 to March 2009. Sixty four patients with neck masses aged 14 years and below were examined and managed. The underlying causes of the neck masses were addressed and categorized.Results:Among the 64 patients, 42 (65.6%) were male. The inflammatory group represents 57% of the cases, while the malignant neoplasm accounts for approximately 10% of the conditions mainly due to lymphoma 5 (7.8%). Sixteen patients (25%) fall in the congenital group, in which the thyroglossal duct cyst was the commonest type. Wound infection developed in two patients, while one patient with cystic hygroma showed recurrence.Conclusion:Pediatrics neck masses are distributed in categories that similar in pattern and distribution in the world except the infectious/inflammatory category that shows variation in distribution in respect to the socioeconomic status. The surgical intervention and procedures are related to the facility as well as to the experience.

Clinicopathological study of pediatric neck masses

“…[14][15][16][17] We had 15 cases (10%) of branchial cyst presenting with complaints of slowly growing painless mass in anterior triangle of neck more on left side. Our findings were similar to those by Al-Mayoof and Gov-Ari et al 11,12 Incidence of cystic hygroma and lipoma in our study was 2% which was similar to Showket et al 8 …”

“…Our findings were similar to the studies by Showkat et al, Lucumay et al, Ingale et al, Al Mayoof et al, Gov-Ari et al [8][9][10][11][12] Suppurative lymphadenopathy was seen in 22 cases (14.7%). They had complaints of rapidly growing neck mass with pain and fever.…”

“…Our findings were similar to Showkat et al and Mayoof. 8,11 20 cases (13.3%) were of mycobacterial lymphadenopathy. Females were affected more than males.…”

Pediatric Mass Lesions of the Head and Neck Region and Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Results

“…However, some changes can be observed in the distribution depending to the socio-economic status (15). According to Meier and Grimmer (5) and D'anza (13), the most common pathology is reactive lymphadenopathy following upper respiratory tract infection.…”

Prevalence and pattern of neck masses in pediatric patient: in Aseer Central Hospital, KSA

“…AlMayoof et al found inflammatory category was the main group accounting 57.8%, reactive non-suppurative lymphadenitis 40.6%, then suppurative lymphadenitis 15.6%, followed by the congenital category 25%, thyroglossal duct cyst 9.3%, then branchial cleft anomalies 7.8%, neoplastic 12.5%, and then the noninflammatory non neoplastic 4.7%. 9 Ragesh et al studied neck masses in children in India they found inflammatory category was the main group accounting 54%, tuberculous lymphadenitis 28%, reactive lymph node hyperplasia 20%, and chronic non-specific lymphadenitis 6%, followed by the congenital category 30%,and neoplastic 16%. 10 Lucumay et al studied pediatric neck masses in Northwestern Tanzania they found inflammatory category was the main group accounting 43.9%.…”