[Differential diagnosis and treatment of neck masses. A study based on observation in Otolaryngology Department of Miedzyleski Specialistic Hospital in Warsaw].

In otolaryngology practice we quite often encounter neck masses in all age group patients. The differential diagnosis is extensive and represents a variety of pathologic conditions of various origins, especially in relation to patient age. The authors present a retrospective analysis of patients with a neck mass treated in Otolaryngology Department of Miedzyleski Specialistic Hospital in Warsaw over the period of two years. Patients were divided into groups according to their age. Within each group the incidence of congenital, inflammatory and neoplastic disease was assessed. The most numerous was the group of adults older than 40 years of age with the highest incidence of malignant neoplasms. The location of metastatic lymph nodes in relation to primary site was described. Finally, methods of management for each tumour type were presented. Then we discuss a work-up of a neck mass with regard to literature data.