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Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Head and Neck Disorders

Head and neck disorders encompass a wide variety of masses, including inflamed lymph nodes and neck lesions or cysts.

Because of their location in the head and heck, these masses required specialized expertise and a high level of care.

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 What Are Head and Neck Disorders?

Head and neck disorders encompass a wide variety of masses of the head or neck area, most commonly inflamed lymph nodes and neck lesions or cysts.

Enlarged lymph nodes

The most common head and neck surgery performed at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is on children with enlarged lymph nodes. Most often, the lymph nodes are enlarged due to infections elsewhere in the child's body.

Neck lesions or cysts

The second most common surgical procedure performed for the head and neck area is the removal of neck lesions or cysts. Cysts are usually the remnants of structures that developed when your child was in utero. These masses become evident typically in infants and toddlers.

These cysts are often filled with sinus mucus or the remains of tissues, such as thyroid tissue, left behind from development. They can be located from the jaw line down to the collar bone.

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How Do You Treat Head and Neck Disorders?

Enlarged Lymph Nodes

  • Typically, the first line of defense is a round of antibiotics.
  • If 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.

Cysts

  • 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.

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Why Choose UPMC for Head and Neck Disorder Care?

Pediatric surgeons at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh treat a wide variety of head and neck masses with specialized expertise and the highest level of care. UPMC Children’s pediatric surgeons are experts in treating the tiniest of patients.

Our pediatric specialists provide more appropriate care for children based on size and age, improving recovery and minimizing side effects.

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Learn how to make an appointment with a surgeon at UPMC Children’s.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-01-09.