Neck mass or lumps

Neck mass or lumps — referral criteria for ENT services.

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Clinically suspected or confirmed neck mass or lumps with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Sudden or new mass or lump associated with difficulty in breathing or swallowing

Sialadenitis with difficulty in breathing

Ludwig's angina

Acute inflammatory neck mass with redness, pain or increased swelling

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Confirmed head and neck malignancy

New suspicious solid mass, or cystic neck lumps, present for more than 4 weeks

New suspicious solid mass, or cystic neck lumps, in patients with a previous head/neck malignancy

Sialadenitis