TO STUDY CONGENITAL MIDLINE NECK SWELLINGS IN SOUTH INDIAN CHILDREN’S
Midline congenital neck mass is not a rare entity in children presenting to Otorhinolaryngology and Paediatric surgery department, but nothing significant is mentioned in literature, especially in our country. This study is an attempt to highlight the incidence of midline congenital neck masses and importance of early diagnosis and timely medical or surgical intervention. Cross sectional retrospective study conducted at Department of Paediatrics , Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chrompet, Chennai. Data of all children below the age of 18 years presenting with congenital neck mass to our institute retrospectively analysed with regards to age, gender, types of swelling, location and the investigations performed. Data was presented in the form of tables, diagrams and pie charts. 67 patients with different congenital neck swellings were studied. Out of these most frequent were thyroglossal duct anomalies 37 (55.2%) followed by dermoid cysts 16 (23.9%), lymphangiomas 7 (10.45%) and haemangiomas 4 (5.9%). Other rare swellings included cervical teratoma, ectopic thyroid and giant congenital hamartoma with one case each. Congenital midline neck masses constitute less talked about but important clinical entity. These masses pose diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical challenges to many clinicians. Hence, for proper management, sound knowledge of these masses and adequate surgical skills are necessary prerequisites.