- Our Services
-
Patients and Families
- Get Directions
- Parking
- Childrens Locations
- Getting Around
- Guidelines for Visitors
- Contact a Patient
- Contact Children's
- Send an e-Card
- Gift Shop
Planning a Visit
- Find a Doctor
- Child Health A-Z
- Community Ed.Classes
- Injury Prevention
- International Patients
- Medical Records
- Patient Handbook
- Patient Procedures
Parents
- For Health Professionals
- Research
- Ways to Give
- News
Children's is in the Top 10 Again
Children's 'Hard Head Patrol' Hits the Streets to Keep Kids Safe
Adding Breast Milk Ingredient to Formula Could Prevent Deadly Intestinal Problem in Premature BabiesOur Services
Head and Neck Disorders
Pediatric surgeons at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC treat a wide variety of head and neck masses, including inflamed lymph nodes and neck lesions, with specialized expertise and the highest level of care. Our pediatric specialists are able to provide more appropriate care for a child based on size and age, improving recovery and minimizing side effects.
Enlarged Lymph Node
The most common head or neck surgery performed at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is on an enlarged lymph node. Most often, the lymph node is enlarged due to an infection elsewhere in the body. Typically the first line of defense is a round of antibiotics. When that doesn’t resolve the inflammation, a pediatric surgeon will biopsy the lymph node to remove it or to send it on for further testing. The procedure is done using the latest techniques, and the child is usually home the same day.
Neck Lesion or Cyst
The second most common surgical procedure for the head or neck area is a neck lesion, or cyst. Cysts are usually remnants of structures developing in utero, though sometimes are not evident for years. These cysts are often filled with sinus mucous or remains of tissues, such as thyroid tissue, left behind during development. They can be located from the jaw line down to the collar bone. For cysts, a basic removal of the mass is performed in a same-day surgical procedure. The primary side-effect is a small scar.
Removing these masses improves recovery and minimizes the risk of recurrence. These masses become evident typically in infants and toddlers, and Children’s Hospital's pediatric surgeons are experts in treating and caring for the tiniest of patients.
Schedule a Consultation
At Children’s, every child diagnosed with a head or neck mass is handled with the highest level of care and skill. In addition, cutting edge research and the latest technology provide our patients with the best possible outcomes.
Learn how you can schedule a consultation with a surgeon at Children’s.
Last Update
August 29, 2011
August 29, 2011
