Hard neck lumps: a review of uncommon and sometimes overlooked causes of these worrying presentations

While a neck lump is a common presentation that can raise suspicion of a potentially serious underlying disease, a hard lump, though less common, may be even more concerning for the patient, and prompt urgent investigation. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest underlying diagnosis that must be excluded, but other diseases or even normal anatomy of the neck can be associated with lumps that are hard or bony. Many of these presentations are relatively rare and may not be familiar to oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) (particularly more junior clinicians) as a differential diagnosis of a hard neck mass. We have reviewed these lesions to raise awareness of possible unusual causes, particularly when patients are not initially examined in a specialist neck lump clinic where ultrasound is readily available.