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What Does A Swollen Lump On Bottom Of The Head Indicate?

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Posted on Sat, 3 May 2014
Question: I had an ear infection in right ear about a month ago & was treated w/ antibiotic ear drops. It went away and then about 2 weeks later 2 of my right cheek glands swelled. That went down after like 2 days and then I found a lump on back of right side bottom of head and it is very swollen. I went back to Dr and after 8 days of penicicillin they put me on augmentin. On day 3 of augmentin & no improvement. What could this be? Tomorrow I go back and if it hasn't improved I have to go see an ENT.
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Answered by Dr. M Y Shareef (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Needs review by ENT specialist ar the earliest. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX ! Good morning. I am Dr Shareef answering your query. Initially those were inflamed lymph glands which subsided with antibiotics. The present lump on the back of right side bottom of your head possibly is due to the infection of the mastoid air cells which are located over there. Any ill controlled/virulent ear infection can spread to these mastoid air cells and the condition is known as mastoiditis. The treatment might include an intravenous course of antibiotics (the doctor might advise you for hospital admission), and might subside with this conservative management. If it did not, then your ENT surgeon might suggest you for some invasive surgery like a mastoidectomy after reassessing it with radiological investigations like an X ray of the mastoids, followed by CT scan/ MRI of the temporal bone including mastoids. I would also suggest you not to delay review by your ENT specialist as the infection if not controlled, might spread to surrounding nearby areas which might prove to be dangerous. I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. M Y Shareef

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1979

Answered : 2457 Questions

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What Does A Swollen Lump On Bottom Of The Head Indicate?

Brief Answer: Needs review by ENT specialist ar the earliest. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX ! Good morning. I am Dr Shareef answering your query. Initially those were inflamed lymph glands which subsided with antibiotics. The present lump on the back of right side bottom of your head possibly is due to the infection of the mastoid air cells which are located over there. Any ill controlled/virulent ear infection can spread to these mastoid air cells and the condition is known as mastoiditis. The treatment might include an intravenous course of antibiotics (the doctor might advise you for hospital admission), and might subside with this conservative management. If it did not, then your ENT surgeon might suggest you for some invasive surgery like a mastoidectomy after reassessing it with radiological investigations like an X ray of the mastoids, followed by CT scan/ MRI of the temporal bone including mastoids. I would also suggest you not to delay review by your ENT specialist as the infection if not controlled, might spread to surrounding nearby areas which might prove to be dangerous. I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.