MRI show inflamed lymph node in neck: What does this mean?
What does it mean when an MRI scan shows inflamed lymph node tissue in your neck. I have had this knot in my neck behind my right ear for quite some time now and it is only getting bigger and starting to cause discomfort. I have more symptoms as well.
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Hello @concernodules and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Your situation sounds both painful as well as frustrating! You seem to have really worked to get a diagnosis and some help without getting much help.
You mention having seen a regular doctor as well as a clinic doctor. Have you seen any specialists? Since you mention a thyroid problem, have you seen an endocrinologist? What about an ENT specialist?
If you have been seen by specialists, I might recommend that you go to a multi-disciplinary health center like a university medical school or a facility like Mayo Clinic. These types of health care centers have a better handle on difficult-to-diagnose problems because they are generally research-oriented, and they also see a lot of patients with a variety of problems, which smaller hospital systems and general doctors do not see.
Have you been to a center like this?
@concernodules, I can understand your frustration at getting the runaround with the 2 departments telling you to seek a consult with another. Clearly you would like to be seen by a specialist like an ENT doc, endocrinologist or oncologist. Might you be able to write to the patient relations or patient experience office at CHI Clinic and ask them to mediate?
The huge benefit of going to a large referral type center such as Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic is the way that the specialties work together to solve the issues. Instead of trying to shift you to a different specialist, they combine their talents and perhaps you will see many specialists to get an answer. Your inflamed lymph node could be associated with a cancer that has not been identified. Keep advocating for yourself until you find the doctors or institution who will diagnose your problem. Mayo Clinic was it for me, after seeing local ENTs (3) and the University of Michigan Medical center. I have metastatic squamous cell carcinoma stemming from original tumor in my ear canal, but am alive today thanks to Mayo Clinic Rochester and my persistence in finding a diagnosis.
Hi, this is my first time on this site but find that your neck lump is similar to what I had 5 yrs ago. I found a lump under my left ear lymph node as well as one in the lymph node gap between my left shoulder clavicle. I waited 1 month to see if the lymph node would decrease in size but it didn't. I then realized it was time for a medical exam/opinion. I went to a UW Madison, WI physician and was given 2 options wait and see if it goes away OR go with a needle biopsy. I figured to have it tested sooner than later would be in my best interest. Results were suspicious and removal, if necessary, would be determined when I was on the table. Bottomline, I was squamous cell HPV p16 Pos. The surgeon determined the cancer stayed within the nodes but still removed an additonal 31 lymph nodes. Further, they could not identify the primary site but believed it was under the lower base of my tongue. That being said, my point is do whatever you have to do get a confirmed diagnosis for the enlarged lumps. Second, go to a Mayo Clinic or UWMC Madison, WI where they have the expert doctors that ONLY deal with these type of issues. Please believe me when I say, time can be your best friend OR worst enemy. I hope you the very best and God Bless!
Michael, thanks for taking the time to post your experience and why you chose to get a biopsy rather than wait. Did you have any treatment after surgery?
I chose to get a biopsy because after doing my own extensive research and consulting with medical experts at the UWMC & Hospital, I felt it was the only way I would get a definitive answer. By having the lump matter examined by
the experts, I would know what to do either way.
Yes, my treatment consisted of a very high dosage of targeted radiation to my throat/under my tongue and any of the areas that my radiation doctor felt necessary. They couldn't definitively determine my primary site so it is considered to be from an unknown site. My radiation was 30 treatments and then examined every 6 months. My 5 yr exam will be on 26 March, 2022, fingers crossed.
Please keep us posted on any updates. How are you feeling since radiation?
The first 6 months were the worst regarding pain and adapting to the feeding tube. Unable to eat because of the effects radiation had on my throat. I had the highest amount of radiation that my doctor would allow so apparently the effect was equally significant. I lost 65 lbs so I needed to increase my protein intake thru the tube. I have other side effects BUT as of today, I am cancer free in the area that had been detected for cancer. Thanks for asking:)
Thank you for sharing what you have gone through. Glad it worked out for you and a treatment plan worked. Stay strong and upbeat.
I am going through the same thing right now. Had a spot on tonsil for seven months. Dr said not concerned maybe tonsil stone. Now CT scan shows worrisome lymph node. Have to have neck dissection to remove. Did you have surgery.