Neck swellings in Indian population: A social stigma or stealthy scare???

• Author Details:   
• B T Subramanya
• Sphoorthi Basavannaiah ^*
• Lohith S
• Chandralekha TVR

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Introduction: Neck swellings are encountered and present at all ages with an extensive differential diagnosis which range from a congenital tumour to a cancerous mass. It is hence important that all clinicians and surgeons have an in depth understanding about the embryology and anatomy of the swelling so as to aid an apt diagnosis and provide appropriate management algorithm.
Aims and Objectives:

1. To identify the common cause for neck swelling at our set up with its percentage.
2. To find out the proportion between benign and malignant neck swelling.
3. To find out the proportion between midline and lateral neck swelling.
4. To note down the proportion of gender affection towards neck swelling.
5. To educate the patients regarding the stigma or scare of neck swelling.

Materials and Methods: All the patients who consulted outpatient department with neck swelling were evaluated clinically, investigated and treated accordingly.
Results: Inflammatory cervical lymphadenopathy topped the list for all neck swellings at our set up.
Conclusion: It is to eliminate the stigma or scare that “not all the neck swellings” are carcinogenic or goitrogenic in nature.

Keywords: Neck Swelling, Midline, Lateral, Benign, Malignant.