Abstract:
Background: Neck masses are found in all age groups from many causes, ranging from congenital to
acquired pathology. They can become a diagnostic challenge due to some of conditions
that have this signal as the main manifestation. The prevalence of the neck masses at
M.N.H is not yet known despite attending several patients presenting with neck masses.
We also have late referral and management of patients with neck masses, and this can be
due to lack of knowledge on neck masses.
Objective: The study aimed at determining the prevalence and aetiology of neck masses among
patients receiving surgical services at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania.
Methods: Descriptive hospital based cross sectional study was done from July to December 2016
involving the patients who were admitted in Otorhinolaryngology, Oral Maxillofacilal
Surgery, General Surgery and Pediatric surgery wards. The participants who met the
inclusion criteria were interviewed and thorough clinical examination was done. For the
study participants with neck masses FNAC of the neck masses was done or open biopsy
for ulcerated masses. Primary site of malignant neck masses was determined through
various methods including indirect laryngoscopy, direct laryngoscopy and OGD then
results were filled in questionnaires. CHI square test was used to test for significance.
Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS 20) computer software was used to analyze
the data and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of neck masses was found to be 14.1% and proportion of neck
masses was found to increase as the age increased. The prevalence of neck masses did
not differ significantly between males and females. Anterior triangle was the most
anatomical site in the neck with neck masses (53.8%). Most of the neck masses (65.7%)
were malignant and the age group most involved was >60 years (P-value 0.000). SCC was the leading malignant subtype among the malignant neck masses (54.1%). It was
also found that 67.21% of the malignant neck masses were the metastatic nodes from
primary cancers in the upper aerodigestive tract.
Conclusion: This study shows that neck masses are prevalent at MNH and proportion of neck masses
increase as the age increase. The most anatomical site involved with the neck masses
was anterior triangle. Most of the neck masses were malignant in which majority of
them were metastatic nodes from upper aerodigestive tract.
Any neck mass especially in adults need thorough evaluation including upper
aerodigestive examination to rule out possibility of malignancy.
Key words; neck masses, prevalence
