Lymph Nodes

Lymph Nodes

The most common causes of neck masses in children are lymph nodes (or benign cervical lymphadenopathy). One of the functions of the lymph nodes is to act as a filter for the lymphatic fluid that drains into them from the body's tissues. For example, if a child has a viral or bacterial infection of the ear or throat, the infected tissue fluid may filter through a lymph node; the lymph node helps to contain the infection, but may also enlarge in response to it.

Solitary enlarged lymph nodes that are smaller than about half an inch, are mobile (move freely), and show no signs of forming an abscess may generally be treated conservatively. Most of these will resolve on their own. However, if a mass thought to be an enlarged lymph node does not meet these criteria, we will often recommend a biopsy (or excisional biopsy).