Review of Head and Neck Masses in the Indian Population Based on Prevalence and Etiology With an Emphasis on Primary Diagnostic Modalities

Abstract

Head and neck masses are classified as sebaceous cysts (epidermoid cysts), cervical lymphadenopathy, benign lipomas, lymph nodes, thyroid swellings, or tuberculosis lymphadenitis that may be painful or painless, adherent or fluctuant. In spite of this, they have distinct prognoses and pathological features. The anatomical location of the swelling and other demographic manifestations of the patient provide valuable information about the cause and type of swelling. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography-CT, and ultrasonography are the gold standard imaging methods for the head and neck examination. These methods are used according to the region considered for the study. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes is known to be effective, simple, and sometimes the only tool for the diagnosis of lymph node malignancies. This review highlights the epidemiological aspect of head and neck masses in the Indian population.

Retroperitoneal congenital epidermoid cyst misdiagnosed as a solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: A case report

“…Acquired tumors are mostly caused by trauma and surgery wherein the epidermis is introduced into deep tissue. Epidermoid cysts are commonly found in the brain, trunk and neck and less commonly reported in the testis, penis, spleen and kidney[ 1 , 2 ].…”