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Hard, Immovable Lump On Left Clavicle Near It Meets Sternum. X-ray Shows Bone Injury. Skip Ultrasound? Biopsy?
Hi - I am a 27-year old female with a hard, immovable, painless lump on my left clavicle near where it meets my sternum. It is partially on the bone, and partially under it, and seems to extend laterally to my shoulder. I have had it for at least six weeks, have had no ilnesses or trauma, and a x-ray has ruled out a bone injury. I recently saw a provider for a routine medical issue, and they noticed the lump and suggested I go back to my primary provider and request an ultrasound, as they were concerned by the position and feel of the lump. I'm wondering whether I should skip the ultrasound and ask for a biopsy instead. What do you think?
Tue, 12 Nov 2013
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Since the lump is extending into the soft tissue, an ultrasound also needs to be done.
The ultrasound will identify the site of lesion and the origin of the lesion.
After ultrasound, an aspiration cytology can be performed.
In this investigation, cells are aspirated from the lump, spread on slide and stained.
The stained cells are examined under the microscope.
The origin and character of the lump will be decided by this investigation.
Whether biopsy is required or not will be decided by this investigation.
Biopsy is an invasive investigation so more conservative investigations should be done initially.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Since the lump is extending into the soft tissue, an ultrasound also needs to be done.
The ultrasound will identify the site of lesion and the origin of the lesion.
After ultrasound, an aspiration cytology can be performed.
In this investigation, cells are aspirated from the lump, spread on slide and stained.
The stained cells are examined under the microscope.
The origin and character of the lump will be decided by this investigation.
Whether biopsy is required or not will be decided by this investigation.
Biopsy is an invasive investigation so more conservative investigations should be done initially.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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