Evaluation of benign neck swellings management at a tertiary care setting

Benign neck swellings are a common presentation in head and neck outpatient clinics and require accurate diagnosis and timely management for optimal outcomes. This one-year prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary-care hospital on 120 patients aimed to identify the common causes of benign neck swellings, evaluate diagnostic tools, and document management strategies. Thyroid-related swellings were the most common etiology, particularly among females in the third and fourth decades of life. Clinical evaluation, ultrasonography, and fine-needle aspiration cytology showed high concordance with histopathology, while surgical management was mainly used for structural lesions and medical therapy for inflammatory conditions. This study advances knowledge by establishing thyroid-related swellings as the predominant benign neck swelling and by supporting a structured diagnostic approach integrating clinical assessment, ultrasonography, and FNAC for accurate diagnosis and management.