Pediatric Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Feryal Gün Soysal told you what you need to know about the treatment of neck masses in babies and children.
Torticollis cyst
Different lesions may occur as head and neck masses in children. . The first of these is the masses seen in newborns that cause neck curvature called torticollis. It occurs when there is a swelling on the muscles extending on the right or left side of the neck, the curvature of the neck towards the involved side, and the realization that the face on the same side is partially smaller than the other, i.e. asymmetrical.
Sometimes, mothers notice that the baby always lies on the same side. They can say. It begins to appear approximately 2-3 weeks after birth. Although the exact cause is unknown, it may be attributed to birth trauma or may be congenital.
First of all, non-surgical treatment is tried. Neck exercises, which last approximately 1 year, consist of passive exercises by turning the face up to both shoulder levels. These exercises, which should be done every day and intensively, are ideally done by a physiotherapist or by the family.
The family should be warned about the importance of the exercises and ensure that they are performed completely. The patient is checked at first 1 and then 2 month intervals. Complete recovery is achieved after appropriate treatment. Surgical treatment is rarely required.
Surgical treatment is performed at the age of 12-15 months in patients over one year old who develop short muscles and progressive facial asymmetry as a result of improper conservative treatment. Surgical treatment is more appropriate for patients who have never been treated and who consult a physician for the first time over the age of 1.
Thyroglossal cyst
Apart from this, thyroglossal cyst in the midline of the head and neck region. Cystic lesions extending to the root of the tongue, called cystic lesions, may also be seen. Most of the time, it does not cause any symptoms other than a small swelling in the midline of the neck, but if it becomes inflamed, there may be redness, pain, growth in the mass and discharge from the mass. Very rarely, it may cause difficulty swallowing and breathing. The cystic lesion must be removed with a minor and simple surgical intervention.
Branchial cyst
Branchial cysts; They are benign, hard masses that manifest themselves as swellings on the sides of the neck. After being diagnosed It can then be treated with appropriate surgical methods.
Apart from these, thyroid lesions may also occur, such as neck lesions. Lesions called hemangiomas, which form large masses with blood in them, may also occur. All of these are among the diseases that can be treated by a pediatric surgeon after being diagnosed by a pediatrician.
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