Evaluating neck masses

Neck masses often present a diagnostic challenge to the primary care provider: Etiologies range from benign inflammations to life-threatening malignancies. Categorizing the etiologies into three broad categories is helpful when considering the extensive differential diagnosis for a neck mass: congenital, inflammatory/infectious, and neoplastic causes. This article discusses the evaluation and subsequent determination of whether a neck mass is significant and warrants further evaluation or is insignificant and may simply be observed. By performing a through history and physical examination, primary care providers can narrow the possibilities, differentiate between significant and insignificant neck masses, and select the appropriate treatment.