Cervical lymphadenopathy in a dental patient: An eye opener case report

Cervical lymphadenopathy, a condition with multifactorial etiology is one of the common presentations in patients reporting to dental clinic. It is thus imperative that oral physicians have to be well versed with the causes of cervical lymphadenopathy. The present article describes a case of 24-year-old male who reported to his dentist with complaint of painless swelling of 4 months duration on right side of neck. Oral examination revealed missing mandibular third molars on both sides, which was confirmed on radiograph. Considering reactive lymphadenitis secondary to inflamed impacted molar as a reason for neck swelling, the surgical removal of third molar of right side was performed under antibiotic coverage which was uneventful. As the neck swelling persisted even after removal of molar, patient had undergone fine needle aspiration cytology and then the swelling was diagnosed as tubercular lymphadenitis. He was treated by antitubercular therapy for 6 months regimen, after then he was perfectly alright. The present report aims to highlight contemplative role of oral physician in early diagnosis of neck swellings that can result in on-time management.