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Had Sore Throat. Given Antibiotics. Has Sinus Problem. Suggested Bone Growing On Side Of The Neck. Help?

Posted on Tue, 10 Sep 2013

Question: My son has had a sore throat for 2 months. Dr. has given him 2 different antibiotics and not relief. He has sinus problems but can keep that under control. His one doctor, ear nose and throat said he has a bone growing on the side of his neck that is a lump..after looking having a CAT scan done. Now another ear nose and throat Dr. is concerned that it may be cancer. He also said my son has lost all his use of the cerabellium. Help.

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Does seems like issues with brain.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am dr XXXXXXX and I will try my level best to address your concern.

There are issues about the foot drop and falls does signifies something wrong with cerebellum (small part of hind brain important for maintaining balance)

Now about the sore throat which is not healing even though multiple antibiotics are tried, along with a lump in neck does make it more likely to be a cancer due to history of cancer.

Still their are other conditions that do similar stuff.
1) Congenital thryoglossal cyst.
2) Lymph node swelling.
3) abscess in the neck region.

I Would advice you to calm your nerves and wait for the result since their are lot of variables, and most of the time cancer are the last one, and suspicion of having cancer is not alway true matter of fact only 35% case have cancer when physician is saying it might be a probability.

Please try and relax, I understand its hardest thing for you to do, but that all we can do.

Hope it helps to relive your anxiety.
Thanks of the query, and feel free to contact me in case of any concerns.

Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (2 hours later)

Thank you for your calming reply. His father and brothers (2) all had terrible cycts.
They would get huge and then be lanced by a doctor. These would occur on the face, neck and back or buttucks. This lump that he has is not as small as the cycts have been. He did have a tooth that was worked on. It was infected and it was cut and cleaned and stiched by a periiodontist. He took several stiches. My son had more than the one lump. It became three. The antibiotics reduced two of them but not the main and largest one. He has trouble swallowing and says it "burns" all the time and spices make it horrid. Does this help in suggestions of what it might be?

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It seems like an abscess formed inside it.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back, thanks for sharing more information it certainly helps to getting closer, since I can't visualize and do physical examination I can only guess still I will try my level best and apply my experience.

It seems like unhealing abscess, which means it will need a surgical cut and we need to drain the waste out, in order to treat it. Once its done it will heal rapidly after that.

I think you guys have enough family history to have it an cyst converted to abscess, and i would not want you to worry things seem too far off now to be a cancer. Please calm down and relax, I understand how hard it must be for you as you son is suffering from such thing. (More over doctors don't worry about the stress of parents and they are keen to say things to be cancer. I never say any things to parents unless I have proof)

Thanks again, and as usual feel free to contact me.

Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (44 hours later)

Doctor, thank you for kind responses and thoughtful as to the stress. You are very good at giving peace of mind.
Now, it seems that my son's left leg (one with Drop Foot) is experiencing some difficulty in mobility. He has two different braces to wear. One large one at home that doctor said to wear in house and in bed and one lighter one that he wears to walk in outside. Now he is having trouble lifting his thigh or moving it around and also the lower leg. He is sure something is going on in his body that is causing his constant tiredness. He says he is never feeling rested. He has trouble swolling food now and his throat is very much "on fire". He will, as i said, see his doctor on Wed. But that is not the one for his foot. He feels he should feel better at his age.
He is not working. He is going to need a job to pay his everyday bills....so he needs help.
Your suggestions have been good and he thinks it is either a infected cyst or when the periodontist cut into his infected tooth and removed a part of bone and tissue that it was not right to cut into an infected area until is was healed of infection. However, it has been done and it could be that issue.
Thank you so very much. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Presence of cyst is hard to relate to foot drop.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The presence of cyst even though infected just explains his symptoms of having difficulty in swallowing as well as having mass in neck.

Still the issue with foot drop is hard to explain based on the neck cyst.
The causes for foot drop are as follows
1) nerve injury
3) brain or spinal disorders
3) muscle disorders

So I can't say for sure that the infected cyst may have lead to foot drop.

Thanks again. As usual feel free to contact me.
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (3 hours later)

Please explain what you mean by infected cyst may have been a lead o foot drop?
And the pesence of infected cysts in throat are also a cause?
What could be brain or spinal disorders or muscle disourders? Please nerve injury would be where in the body?
Please help.....Thank you so much...you are most cocerned. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sorry for confusion.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I just want to say that the "foot drop" could not be explained by the cyst in neck.

The reasons for having foot drops are related to brain and other issues I mentioned such as
1) nerve injury.
3) brain or spinal disorders.
3) muscle disorders.

So both issues are separate from each other like having "mass in neck + swallowing trouble" from "foot drop"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The presence of cyst just explains his symptoms of having difficulty in swallowing as well as having mass in neck. Most of such trouble appears when their might be some kind of infection present.

Thanks again.

Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (14 hours later)

I now have a question about myself.
I am a 82 year old female.
I take several medications a day. For pain (but not narcotics--tramadol and gabapentin) plus high blood pressure meds and vitamins.
I have excessive sweating from my head several times a day to the point that it drips off of the ends of my hair. It seems to be only in that area.
None of my many doctors know what it is until yesterday. My doctor for spinel stenosis gave thought to possible hormone imbalance.
What are some answers and solutions, please.
Thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I will help you but I need some HELP for you first

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for putting trust in me.

Let me begin with asking you some more question so know you better in case of health history.

1) Family history- any has similar problems, any of you parents or sibling has know heart issues, any diabetes, T.B., and if know any other history is welcome.

2) What are the medication you are currently on, and what are the dosages.
3) Had you had any recent health reports like blood report etc, please upload it on the question if not able tot do so you can copy the detail it will be fine too.
4) Any feeling of anxiety / distress?
5) you average blood pressure ?
6) do you have any other issues like diabetes, asthma, allergies ? Any history of operative surgeries? any other medical history you can shade some light will be a great help.

I need to know all/ as much information you can give me as it helps to understand your history on personal (professional ) level and it helps to derive some sensible occurrences.

I will able to be more helpful once I have above mentions details.

Thanks again.
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

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