Can the Past Predict the Future?
Question: A 23 year old gentleman is referred to you for evaluation of a newly diagnosed right neck mass. He is otherwise healthy. He reports no prior surgery, but does have a history of penetrating neck trauma the year prior which was treated conservatively. On palpation you note a mass in level II on the right. This is pulsatile. There are no overlying neck masses. CT with contrast demonstrates a cystic neck mass. What is the most likely diagnosis? [Answer will be posted with next week's new question]
Answer to last week's question, What's on the Inside Matters Most (November 16, 2015):
You should obtain a PTH level from the aspirate - indicative of a parathyroid cyst. In addition a thyroglobulin level can be obtained to determine if the origin is thyroid (for example, papillary thyroid carcinoma).