Noninfectious causes
Noninfectious causes of neck pain along the lymph nodes can occur similarly as above, acutely or chronically and bilaterally or unilaterally.
- Acute: Acute noninfectious causes of lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis are inflammatory conditions that are not associated withinfection. In children, illnesses such as Kawasaki disease is a type of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) that occurs in childhood. A characteristic manifestation of this condition is lymphadenopathy.
- Chronic: Many noninfectious chronic causes of neck pain along the lymph nodes are associated with cancerous processes. For example, cancers of the lymphatic system, called lymphomas, can occur in many different types. Lymphomas often occur in the lymph nodes of the neck and can grow very rapidly, causing massive swelling, and are associated with symptoms of fatigue, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.
This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.
Retropharyngeal abscess (adult)
Retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition.
Rarity: Ultra rare
Top Symptoms: sore throat, loss of appetite, fever, shortness of breath, being severely ill
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Mononucleosis (Mono) infection
Retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition.
Rarity: Ultra rare
Top Symptoms: sore throat, loss of appetite, fever, shortness of breath, being severely ill
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Skin abscess
A skin abscess is a large pocket of pus that has formed just beneath the skin. It is caused by bacteria getting under the skin, usually through a small cut or scratch, and beginning to multiply. The body fights the invasion with white blood cells, which kill some of the infected tissue but form pus within the cavity that remains.
Symptoms include a large, red, swollen, painful lump of pus anywhere on the body (e.g. neck, groin, armpits, jaw, etc.) beneath the skin. There may be fever, chills, and body aches from the infection.
If not treated, there is the risk of an abscess enlarging, spreading, and causing serious illness.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination.
A small abscess may heal on its own, through the body's immune system. But some will need to be drained or lanced in a medical provider's office so that the pus can be cleaned out. Antibiotics are usually prescribed.
Keeping the skin clean, and using only clean clothes and towels, will help to make sure that the abscess does not recur.
Myofascial pain syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is also called chronic myofascial pain (CMP.) Pressure on certain points of the muscles causes referred pain, meaning the pain is felt elsewhere in the body.
The cause is believed to be muscle injury through overuse, either from sports or from a job requiring repetitive motion. Tension, stress, and poor posture can also cause habitual tightening of the muscles, a form of overuse.
This overuse causes scar tissue, or adhesions, to form in the muscles. These points are known as trigger points, since they trigger pain at any stimulus.
Symptoms include deep, aching muscular pain that does not go away with rest or massage, but may actually worsen. There is often difficulty sleeping due to pain.
Myofascial pain syndrome should be seen by a medical provider, since it can develop into a similar but more severe condition called fibromyalgia.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination and applying mild pressure to locate the trigger points.
Treatment involves physical therapy, pain medications, and trigger point injections. In some cases, acupuncture and antidepressants are helpful.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: dizziness, spontaneous shoulder pain, pain in the back of the neck, tender muscle knot, general numbness
Symptoms that always occur with myofascial pain syndrome: tender muscle knot
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Lymph node inflammation behind the ear
There are lymph nodes behind the ear. Lymph nodes are where your immune cells live, and when they become enlarged, it could be from a nearby infection, immune response, or even backlog of blood.
You should see your primary care doctor tomorrow for a sick visit. There, the doctor can look at what could explain the enlarged node behind your ear.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: pain behind the ear, swelling behind the ears
Symptoms that always occur with lymph node inflammation behind the ear: swelling behind the ears
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a set of chronic symptoms that include ongoing fatigue, diffuse tenderness to touch, musculoskeletal pain, and usually some degree of depression.
The cause is not known. When fibromyalgia appears, it is usually after a stressful physical or emotional event such as an automobile accident or a divorce. It may include a genetic component where the person experiences normal sensation as pain.
Almost 90% of fibromyalgia sufferers are women. Anyone with rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, may be more prone to fibromyalgia.
Poor sleep is often a symptom, along with foggy thinking, headaches, painful menstrual periods, and increased sensitivity to heat, cold, bright lights, and loud noises.
There is no standard test for fibromyalgia. The diagnosis is usually made when the above symptoms go on for three months or more with no apparent cause.
Fibromyalgia does not go away on its own but does not get worse, either.
Treatment involves easing symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life through pain medications, exercise, improved diet, and help with managing stressful situations.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: fatigue, arthralgias or myalgias, anxiety, depressed mood, headache
Symptoms that always occur with fibromyalgia: arthralgias or myalgias
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Enlarged lymph nodes occur when the node becomes larger as it fills with inflammatory cells. This often is a result of an infection but can occur without a known cause.
You should discuss with a health care provider whether or not your lymph node needs to be checked. Enlarged lymph nodes will usually shrink on their own. To speed up the process, try applying a warm, wet compress to the affected area.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: neck bump, movable neck lump
Symptoms that always occur with enlarged lymph nodes in the neck: neck bump
Symptoms that never occur with enlarged lymph nodes in the neck: unintentional weight loss, fever, hard neck lump
Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit
Acute thyroiditis
Acute thyroiditis is a rare inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by an infection, radiation, medication, or trauma.
You should seek immediate medical care at an ER. This is possibly a medical emergency and requires immediate diagnosis (thyroid function tests, blood tests, and imaging) and treatment (antibiotics, supportive care, stopping causative drugs).
Rarity: Ultra rare
Top Symptoms: sore throat, fever, being severely ill, hoarse voice, pain in the front of the neck
Symptoms that always occur with acute thyroiditis: pain in the front of the neck
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Questions your doctor may ask about neck pain along the lymph nodes
- Do you notice your heart beating hard, rapidly, or irregularly (also called palpitations)?
- Have you ever been told you have a heart valve problem?
- Have there been changes in your voice?
- Do you have a sore throat?
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.
