Lump on neck and behind ear

[lan01]

I've had a lump on my neck for a round 2-3 years. It's very small and I can move it around when I touch it and doesn't hurt. I also found a very hard lump behind my ear and it doesn't hurt when touched either. I've gone to several doctors and they tell me it's just an enlarged lymph node. My mom tells me the neck lump might be from a very bad throat infection I had when I was around 12. I've had blood tests done and everything is fine. Next month I've got an appointment for a biopsy for the neck lump.

Are lumps supposed to stay for so long? It has never changed size or anything.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

A lump behind the ear could be due to throat infection, insect bite, accidental trauma to the site, ear infection , etc.

Lymph nodes in the region are known as post auricular lymph nodes and can enlarge secondary to infection, inflammation, etc.

You could try some warm compresses at the site, warm saline gargles for his sore throat and some oral antihistamine medications for the swelling.

This could be mastoiditis, cervical lymphadenopathy or parotitis.

Have you seen an ENT specialist or your doctor for your symptoms? Do you have any associated symptoms of pain, discharge, fever, etc?

'Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid process, the portion of the temporal bone of the skull that is behind the ear. It is usually caused by untreated acute otitis media (middle ear infection) .'

You could read more about the condition at the following links -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastoidectomy

and

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic306.htm

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Post us about what your doctor advises.

Regards.

[bip]

I have a lympnode I can feel in the back of my neck for years  and it's nothing...Try not to worry you will be fine......It's good your getting a biopsy just to rule everything out.......Take care!!!!