I originally went to ENT doctor as a follow up to a dental gum boil infection I had on the right rear mandible of jaw - that’s why I had ct scan and the submandibular node was incidentally discovered on the left - we also did thyroid ultrasound on same day for f/u of benign thyroid nodules which are stable after 7 years and biopsy at that time also was no malignancy detected. I just don’t want unnecessary surgery.
ENT prescribed 7 days of clindimycin and the boil started to drain and clear and said no more antibiotics needed - however on follow-up with my dentist he prescribed levoquin for 10 days which did the trick. They both thought that somehow I got infected from the novacaine needle during an implant removal that caused a swollen gland on the right.
Never noticed the submandibular node on left or had any symptoms from it.
My dentist says that my EMT is being overly cautious.
Recent CT and Ultrasound results:
In the left submandibular region superiorly, there is a hypoechoic nodule measuring 1.5 x 1.4 .1.4 cm which correspond with the CT idetified nodule. This appears to lie superior to the gland and may represent an enlarged lymph node. There is an inferiorly adjacent lymph node measuring 0.8 x 0.5 x 1.1 cm with a preserved fatty hilum.
Indeterminant hypoechoic 1.5 cm nodule along the superior aspect of the left submandibular gland which may represent an abnormal lymph node. Further evaluation with tissue sampling is recommended. An attempt at FNA can be performed, although this may be challenging due to its superior position.
My dentist prescribed levoquin for 10 days since the boil was still draining and it has cleared up nicely.
ENT has me scheduled for FNA for the submandibular region nodule. I will have it done by radiologist in the hospital with U/S guidance.
Had thyroid one 7 years ago which was colloid and benign. Actually my thyroid nodules have reduced somewhat in size.
How likely is this enlarged node related to all my dental work on both left and right lower jaws since November of 2019 and every two months thereafter? Still don't have implants as i'm waiting for bone to integrate. Only two front implant posts are positioned and healed now.
Chiswick
The FNA will be able to tell whether this is a reactive node or a malignancy. The radiologist can’t tell from the pictures. It’s a horrid thing this waiting game and you have to trust your team to come up with the right answers.
I think ENT like to sample anything larger than 1cm
Yes it could be an infection but there is only one way to tell. I hope it’s nothing.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Now I love big cats. I have always had rescue cats but since we moved to Wales I never replaced the last one. I’ve had my eye on a Norwegian Forest. One day. Good luck with your results. Xx
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
