HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)ear infectionI am a 58-year-old male concerned about a one-centimeter lump behind my ear that has not subsided for three weeks. Please help. It has reduced in size and worried if it is safe to wait for two more months. Kindly help.

What is the treatment for swollen lymph nodes behind the ear?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Oliyath Ali

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At November 8, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 30, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 58 year old healthy male. I have noticed a firm lump behind right ear (posterior auricular lymph node) four weeks back of a size nearly 0.39 inches. I have consulted an ENT who said it was a swollen lymph node and was thoroughly examined for other enlarged nodes, infection, lesions or tumours, and found nothing. I have no other symptoms and the ENT specialist asked me to wait for three weeks, and was told in case it does not subside, a biopsy can be needed. After three weeks, the lump was still there, but in reduced size. The ENT doctor then confirmed, that it is significantly smaller and decided not to proceed with biopsy and advised to wait for two months and check it again. It has been four weeks and I am still worried about the lump. I have also developed jock itch, a fungal infection and concerned if it is related. Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Oliyath Ali

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Any Lymph node less than one centimeter is not considered significant and does not mandate a biopsy. I advise you to wait and watch vigilantly, as it is the right approach.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I would like to share the excerpt from my first consultation with the ENT doctor, I was told that the scalp is bald with the presence of a few small cherry hemangiomas and no other evident lesions. There is the presence of one centimeter, firm, subcutaneous right retroarticular lymph node, that is minimally tender with no skin fixation. The auricles, external auditory canal, and tympanic membranes are normal. The seventh cranial nerve function is intact and symmetrical. Intranasal, oral cavity, oropharyngeal and neck examinations are unremarkable. There is a presence of vascular lesions, like small AVM or hemangioma overlying the right clavicle, that could have been present for more than 10 years. I do not have a conclusion from the second visit, but my doctor said the node has become smaller. Is it safe to wait for two to three months? Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Oliyath Ali

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I advise you to let the doctor have a thorough look inside the ear and throat as posterior auricular lymph nodes often enlarge in reaction to an infection in the ear, throat, posterior gums, or eyes.

Also, the size and architecture of the lymph node should be confirmed with an ultrasonography or CT scan. If it is below 1 centimeter, with well-maintained normal architecture, we can safely wait and watch with regular checkups.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Oliyath Ali
Dr. Oliyath Ali

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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