Clarifying Misleading Lumps and Sinuses in the Newborn

Neonates often have congenital lumps or sinuses. It is expected that pediatricians will distinguish those with important physiologic implications from those without. Accurate understanding of these lesions is important for the practitioner to avoid unnecessary tests and anxiety and to ensure that seemingly benign lesions with important implications are addressed in a timely manner. This review aims to clarify the consequences of some lesions that can easily be misinterpreted, offering guidance in the initial management of patients with congenital lumps or sinuses. We address several lesions that can easily be misconstrued, including wattles, preauricular lesions, sacral sinuses, second branchial cleft anomalies, torticollis, and dermoid cysts.