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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat And Posterior Cervical Lymphadenitis
Question: Hello _ I think this is a question for a ent?
I have a swollen lymph node in the posterior chain of my cervical spine. I noticed it on Sunday. However, on Saturday evening my neck was killing me. I had to go home and apply a heating pad for 30 minutes. The next morning I woke up with a sore throat on the right side of my throat. The sore throat continues when I wake up but gets better through tout the day. I have also had a stuffy nose for the past 3-4 days. The lymph node is round and about 7 mm. It feels firm, and I'm not sure if I can move it or if I'm moving the surrounding skin and that moves it. My concern is, I have been to 2 different walk in clinics. The NP at the one clinic thinks its a buckshot node. She has been in family practice fir over 25 years. She does not feel there is anything to worry about. She told me to stop touching it, but of course I can't. I went to a different walk in clinic this evening. This time I saw a young physiciN assistant. She really has me concerned. She said the node is less than 1 cm, XXXXXXX but some what hard. They normally don't do a CBC , but they did want to look at the WBC count. I won't get those results until Monday. However, She recommends a biopsy of the node!!!
Ok, two different opinions on the same situation. I'm a 48 year old female with no other health problems except anxiety which this is fueling. I asked the PA about an ultrasound and she said they usually just remove them. I also noticed several other smaller nodes along the posterior chain, but this on is the largest. What is the probability that a lymph node is cancerious? Are swollen lymph nodes in adults common? Is there anything I can do to reduce the swelling. But, I just can't stop touching it!!! I touch it at least 40 times a day. Will that make it larger? Any idea what this may be related too? Also, I have smaller lymph nodes in that same chain which are you can palpate. But, they are really small. There is a small one above the large one and below it.
Thank you so much.
I have a swollen lymph node in the posterior chain of my cervical spine. I noticed it on Sunday. However, on Saturday evening my neck was killing me. I had to go home and apply a heating pad for 30 minutes. The next morning I woke up with a sore throat on the right side of my throat. The sore throat continues when I wake up but gets better through tout the day. I have also had a stuffy nose for the past 3-4 days. The lymph node is round and about 7 mm. It feels firm, and I'm not sure if I can move it or if I'm moving the surrounding skin and that moves it. My concern is, I have been to 2 different walk in clinics. The NP at the one clinic thinks its a buckshot node. She has been in family practice fir over 25 years. She does not feel there is anything to worry about. She told me to stop touching it, but of course I can't. I went to a different walk in clinic this evening. This time I saw a young physiciN assistant. She really has me concerned. She said the node is less than 1 cm, XXXXXXX but some what hard. They normally don't do a CBC , but they did want to look at the WBC count. I won't get those results until Monday. However, She recommends a biopsy of the node!!!
Ok, two different opinions on the same situation. I'm a 48 year old female with no other health problems except anxiety which this is fueling. I asked the PA about an ultrasound and she said they usually just remove them. I also noticed several other smaller nodes along the posterior chain, but this on is the largest. What is the probability that a lymph node is cancerious? Are swollen lymph nodes in adults common? Is there anything I can do to reduce the swelling. But, I just can't stop touching it!!! I touch it at least 40 times a day. Will that make it larger? Any idea what this may be related too? Also, I have smaller lymph nodes in that same chain which are you can palpate. But, they are really small. There is a small one above the large one and below it.
Thank you so much.
Brief Answer:
posterior cervical lymphadenitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query.
In my opinion, posterior cervical lymph node enlargement can be because of many reasons, like viral infection, recent surgery, fever, upper respiratory tract infection, tuberculosis, and last being cancer.
According to your history, I probably feel enlarged posterior cervical lymph node is due to previous viral infection.
If this is the case. There is nothing to worry about.
There is no medicines to reduce the swelling.
If there is pain along with the swelling, then it has to be treated with antibiotics, and painkillers.
Both you doctors opinion are correct. But I will go with the first doctors decision.
But still, u want to be clear with the diagnosis, then you can get blood work and FNAC done.
Treatment is according to the report.
Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.
posterior cervical lymphadenitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query.
In my opinion, posterior cervical lymph node enlargement can be because of many reasons, like viral infection, recent surgery, fever, upper respiratory tract infection, tuberculosis, and last being cancer.
According to your history, I probably feel enlarged posterior cervical lymph node is due to previous viral infection.
If this is the case. There is nothing to worry about.
There is no medicines to reduce the swelling.
If there is pain along with the swelling, then it has to be treated with antibiotics, and painkillers.
Both you doctors opinion are correct. But I will go with the first doctors decision.
But still, u want to be clear with the diagnosis, then you can get blood work and FNAC done.
Treatment is according to the report.
Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi
Did you receive my follow up questions?
My follow up questions are:
1. I also noticed several other smaller nodes along the posterior chain which appear to be swollen/palpable , but the one that is 7mm is the largest. Is it common to have multiple swollen nodes in a chain like that? Is that common from a virus?
2. Are swollen lymph nodes in adults common?
3. Is there anything I can do to reduce the swelling. I just can't stop touching it!!! I touch it at least 40 times a day. Will that make it larger?
4. What percentage of node biopsies in the posterior cervical chain tend to be normal?
5. I'm thinking about asking my GP for an ultrasound to take a look at the structure. Do you think this will provide sufficient evidence to determine the etiology of the node?
Did you receive my follow up questions?
My follow up questions are:
1. I also noticed several other smaller nodes along the posterior chain which appear to be swollen/palpable , but the one that is 7mm is the largest. Is it common to have multiple swollen nodes in a chain like that? Is that common from a virus?
2. Are swollen lymph nodes in adults common?
3. Is there anything I can do to reduce the swelling. I just can't stop touching it!!! I touch it at least 40 times a day. Will that make it larger?
4. What percentage of node biopsies in the posterior cervical chain tend to be normal?
5. I'm thinking about asking my GP for an ultrasound to take a look at the structure. Do you think this will provide sufficient evidence to determine the etiology of the node?
Brief Answer:
FNAC is helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your follow up query.
Yes it is common to have swollen multiple lymph node in viral infection. Yes it is quite common in adults.
7 mm is a small size it can enlarge upto 4 to 5 cm. Heat pad or hot fomentation will be helpful.
Tablets containing serratio peptidase will help to reduce the swelling. FNAC is better diagnostic tests than usg. Upto 60 % of lymph Hope nodes tested are normal. Hope my answers helped you. Thanks.
FNAC is helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your follow up query.
Yes it is common to have swollen multiple lymph node in viral infection. Yes it is quite common in adults.
7 mm is a small size it can enlarge upto 4 to 5 cm. Heat pad or hot fomentation will be helpful.
Tablets containing serratio peptidase will help to reduce the swelling. FNAC is better diagnostic tests than usg. Upto 60 % of lymph Hope nodes tested are normal. Hope my answers helped you. Thanks.
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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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