Ultrasound musings

[Ritterskoop]

I have a lump on the side of my neck (post cervical lymph node area). Been there seven weeks, having erupted the day after my flu shot.

Doc says it is either a cyst or swollen lymph node, and sent me for an ultrasound. This is the very benign thing they do to take pictures of babies in the womb. It was easy.

The tech took pics of the lump area, then the other side, then the thyroid area. She asked if I'd ever had thyroid surgery and I said no, I take Synthroid to replace the hormones not generated by my (relatively common) underactive thyroid.

It looks to me like the thyroid scan is part of a typical neck ultrasound, but I wasn't expecting it. Her question is probably also just a typical part of the scan, but I also wasn't expecting it.

If you've had a neck ultrasound and have any helpful firsthand info, please let me know. I'm not too concerned, and the tech said they would send the doc the pics/analysis today, so I should hear from her within a few days. But you know how stuff tickles our brains during those few days ...

The lump is not hard like Dr. Google says a cancer would be. If it's a cyst, doc said we could remove it if it's bothering me. I said the lump itself is no problem, but the surrounding muscles get to spasming in revolt sometimes, which is no fun.

I want it to be a reaction to the flu shot so I don't have to get any more.

[jaybee]

I've not had an ultrasound on the neck area, but I will say this:

I've had a fair amount of experience with various cancer tests involving many in my family - most of the time getting a bad diagnosis. Even if the doctors may not know for sure what you have until all the tests are in, They are pretty good at recognizing things from how they present early on. If they suspect that it's bad, they never downplay the potential problems and do not ever venture an opinion that it may only be a cyst or a swollen node.

If they are indicating that it's likely harmless, then almost certainly it is. Also, if they indicate that you'll have to wait several days for the results, then waiting is actually a good thing. If they suspect that it's bad, then they will check for preliminary results quickly. So even though you may worry while you wait for an answer, the wait indicates that they haven't found much to worry about.

Good luck.

[Ritterskoop]

Jaybee, thanks - that was very helpful!

To anyone else who may have held off replying because of my request for firsthand info, I apologize. I was trying to let BobJuch know I did not need him to Google anything, because I can and have done that myself.

[Beebs52]

What Jaybee said. Having had many ultrsound/bone scan/CT scan cancer stuff I've found if weird shit is in the offing they'll let you know sooner rather than later. Only wait I had was a bone scan that turned out to be degenerative stuff rather than stage 4. That was a fun two weeks of xrays.

[Beebs52]

Also don't OD on researching stuff. It will make you crazy. I know this.

[mrkelley23]

I have not replied because, while I have had benign tumors that were problematic (Schwannomas) they were not in the area nor had the symptoms you discussd. Nor have I had the kinds of scans you had.

But I didn't want you to think I was ignoring the post. I just don't have anything to add to what you already know.

[Bob Juch]

I have a friend who recently had thyroid cancer. It was not a hard lump. She's doing great now.

[thguy65]

Skoop:
I perform thyroid ultrasounds personally (not by a technician) on many of my patients.
Regarding the tech's question about whether you have had thyroid surgery, that implies to me that she was having a difficult time visualizing your thyroid gland or it was smaller than typical size. Having removal of your thyroid gland would be a common cause for this, so this is why she asked you about that possibility. Given your history of long-standing use of thyroid hormone replacement medication for your underactive gland, I would guess that your gland has atrophied as the reason for it to be smaller. It's OK if your thyroid gland is now small or virtually non-existent; it wasn't doing its job adequately, and the thyroid medication is giving you what you need.
Her question about possible thyroid surgery makes it less likely that she saw any enlargement or nodules in the thyroid gland (but of course I can't say for sure). Your scenario doesn't make me too suspicious about thyroid cancer.
The lump on the posterior cervical region of your neck may be completely unrelated to your thyroid gland. I don't know what that may be, but I hope your doctor provides you with some good news soon.

Please feel free to send me a private message any time you want.

[a1mamacat]

thguy is probably the best info source here. He was incredibly helpful to me when I was dealing with my hyperthyroidism several years ago.

[SportsFan68]

thguy is probably the best info source here. He was incredibly helpful to me when I was dealing with my hyperthyroidism several years ago.

Ditto what Saucy said. I still think with gratitude about how kind thguy was to take the time to fill in the blanks for me.

[Ritterskoop]

We have many of us gotten spoiled by having our own endocrinologist right here over the years. Thanks thguy!

[Ritterskoop]

Doc's office finally called. It is a very small enlarged lymph node. Next step is to see a neck specialist, for which I have to wait for them to make the appointment again. Ugh.

I'm sticking with the reaction to the flu shot theory.

Thanks for everyone's support.

[thguy65]

Thanks for the update.

I hope the rest of your evaluation leads to ho-hum, uninteresting results. You don't want to have anything that doctors would call "interesting".

[lilyvonschtupp26]

hope you get in to see Doc soon so you can relax. The not knowing is awful, I know

[SpacemanSpiff]

Thanks for the update.

I hope the rest of your evaluation leads to ho-hum, uninteresting results. You don't want to have anything that doctors would call "interesting".

Agreed. There are times that boring and uninteresting are good things.

[Bob Juch]

Thanks for the update.

I hope the rest of your evaluation leads to ho-hum, uninteresting results. You don't want to have anything that doctors would call "interesting".

Agreed. There are times that boring and uninteresting are good things.

Yeah. You don't want what happened to me when I went to the UC Davis Medical School for an eye exam: The doctor had about eight students looking through the scope at my eyes because they were so unusual.

[Ritterskoop]

They called today and I am seeing the neck specialist tomorrow. These things are nearly always reactions to a virus or infection, or the immune system otherwise thinking it needs to ramp up.

It's the flu shot. I've never had the flu, and never had a flu shot until about five years ago, and won't be having a shot again after this. I felt really awful the day after this one, especially my neck.

[Bob Juch]

They called today and I am seeing the neck specialist tomorrow. These things are nearly always reactions to a virus or infection, or the immune system otherwise thinking it needs to ramp up.

It's the flu shot. I've never had the flu, and never had a flu shot until about five years ago, and won't be having a shot again after this. I felt really awful the day after this one, especially my neck.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm

[Ritterskoop]

One of my reasons for resisting the shot is the complicity of the CDC a few years ago, when the vaccine supplier made too much product. The CDC agreed to tell America that it was especially important that season that everyone get a shot, even folks who weren't normally at risk, just so they could move all the product.

I understand the cost-benefit analysis of vaccinations. I agree that it's worth it for large groups to get shots to prevent illness, so they don't spread the disease or miss work.

But I don't get the flu. So I'm not going to spread it or miss work.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

Thanks for the update.

I hope the rest of your evaluation leads to ho-hum, uninteresting results. You don't want to have anything that doctors would call "interesting".

Agreed. There are times that boring and uninteresting are good things.

Yeah. You don't want what happened to me when I went to the UC Davis Medical School for an eye exam: The doctor had about eight students looking through the scope at my eyes because they were so unusual.

The pitch is slow and right across the plate and I've got nothing

[Ritterskoop]

I have more psoriasis or excema in my ear, and the lymph swelling is a response to that.

I have a prescription cream and go back in six weeks.

De nada.

[christie1111]

That sounds like a good answer!

Very treatable.

Yay!

[christie1111]

Oh, and I brought a lovely Christmas wall hanging to work and am getting lots of compliments on it.

I just have to keep explaining that, no, I didn't make it!

[thguy65]

I have more psoriasis or excema in my ear, and the lymph swelling is a response to that.

I have a prescription cream and go back in six weeks.

De nada.

Good to know. Hope the cream works.

Here are the 4 rules of Dermatology we were taught in Med School:
1) If it's dry, then wet it.
2) If it's wet, then dry it.
3) If you know what it is, then don't touch it.
4)

Spoiler

If you don't know what it is, then for God's sakes don't touch it!

[MarleysGh0st]

Yay for the nada!