Head and neck masses in children: A clinicopathological study

Fifty children with head and neck masses were evaluated clinically and pathologically. Inflammatory swellings constituted the majority (54%). Congenital - developmental malformations were the next common lesions (30%) and neoplastic masses constituted the rest (16%). Tuberculous lymphadenitis was found to be the single most common etiology (28%). Among congenital-developmental malformations, cystic hygroma was the most frequent lesion. The incidence of branchial cleft abnormalities was found to be low and no thyroglossal duct cyst was observed in this series. Among the neoplastic masses malignant lesions were more common than benign tumours and lymphoma was the most common head and neck malignancy observed.