3 year old urgent appointment with ent

Hi,

My son has been referred with an urgent appointment with ent. He has a large lump at the back of his throat which is now covering half of the opening and also has swollen lymph nodes on his neck. I haven't really been told much more than we need to see ent asap as the doctors don't know what it is. I will add that the lump has been there for around 4 months but doctors brushed it off with tonsillitis. 

Could anybody tell me what to expect from this first appointment, I am worrying myself silly and hope I can prepare my little one and myself if I know what to expect. Will they just look at it and then make another appointment for any tests? Or wil they do tests on the day? Also if anyone has any insight in to the types of tests they will do it would be very helpful.

Sorry for the rambling message, thank you for reading.

Lynds 

  • Hi Lynds, 

    I'm so sorry you have so much worry at the moment. I'm a mum of two 6 year olds so I can only imagine how awful this is for you. 

    I don't have any experience of this at all, but hopefully someone will be along soon who will be able to maybe help put your mind at rest a little bit. In the meantime I'm sending you lots of hugs and best wishes. Take care. Xxxxx

     

  • Thank you for your kind word MiGi xx

  • Hi, the ENT consultant will probably ask about his health, he will maybe spray his nose and then put a camera up his nose, it doesn’t hurt but I don’t know how they will do it with a child of that age. I got referred for an ultrasound with biopsy but he didn’t do it at that appointment. He may be able to see what it is with the little camera. I sincerely hope he is ok, fingers crossed for you xx

  • Am sorry to hear of symptoms and right to get checked although many referalls to ENT turn out to be nothing sinsiter at all.

    I can only talk as an adult and my expeience and not sure if would be any differerent because of age, but a small scope with camera gently up nose to have a more detailed closer look on screen, Scope has a minute camera at the tip and its painless and a very mild discomfort at the most.
    Depending on what they see, there could be potential for pictures taken for a more detailed analysis there and then as well but probably best to wait and see how initial assesment goes. Just a gentle note that pics or more detailed analysis may take a further 10-14 days for results. There are plenty people on here like myself who have been through throat issues that can help and support., so please feel free to come back with any questions or anthing at all you feel we can help with.
    Suggest you stay off google as so much mis information and best advice is to stick to NHS based sites of of course here where plenty help.

    I hope all goes well and please keep us posted on how you get on at appoitment and we can take from there in terms of any further support you feel might be helpful. Fingures crossed, its nothing to worry about. The other high plus side re tests is just how young you son is and hope you get positive news on the day itself

    kind regards

    Ian

  • Thank you, it makes me feel better just knowing what to expect from this initial appointment. I'm almost sure it's nothing sinister butthere is always a niggling doubt. I guess we will know more come Wednesday. Thank you for your messages :) x

  • Hi there, 

    I found that GPs tend to be a little slow even with children but my experience of all four of my children being in hospital with all different things from croup to asthma attacks to slightly more serious things has been nothing but positive especially when they were smaller. I really think you will have a lot of support and answers when you go on Wednesday. Our A and E is ridiculously busy so is the hospital generally but I always found that they seem to find really special people to deal with the little ones. I'm not sure if that's just me but that's definitely how I've seen it. I really hope you have the same experience and that it goes well for your little family. Best wishes. Xxxxxxx