My spouse has pain in the jaw and head due to a swollen lymph node in the neck. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

I am reaching out on behalf of my spouse, and I am looking for a second opinion. The lymph node on the left side of the neck has been swollen for some time now, causing continuous pain in the head's neck, jaw, and back. Pain is now moving into the left arm, hand, and leg. It has been continuing to get worse every day over the course of two months. We did an ultrasound which came back normal. Also, we have seen two ENT specialists and one nurse practitioner; none could determine what the cause is and if there is anything to do to make it go away. Very concerned about what could be causing the pain or if there is anything to make the pain go away, maybe even if this is a common symptom of something that might ring a bell to you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for briefing about the problem in concern. With the symptoms you have mentioned, one of the possibilities I think is probable cervical spondylitis with possible nerve entrapment. It is very likely for a lymph node in the neck to be picked up by an ultrasound device, and that is why I feel the pain in the neck and back of the head could be due to muscle spasms secondary to some changes in the cervical spine. Tingling pain extending to the arms, but the ability to lift the hand and carry out daily chores indicates no major insult to the nerve and usually indicates minor entrapment of the nerve or vascular compromise to the associated significant branch of the nerve. To make a diagnosis, I would suggest you get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical spine and also consult an orthopedic spine surgeon to ascertain and confirm the possibility of cervical spine pathology. For now, good hot fomentation (moist heat application) and a muscle relaxant containing Chlorzoxazone and Diclofenac one tablet in the morning and night after meals should suffice. He can also use a good topical antispasmodic gel on the affected area to give some temporary relief. I hope this answers your query. If there is anything more you need to know, please contact me, and I will revert to you as soon as possible. Warm regards.