Head and neck mass (ENT)
Emergency and immediate referrals
Referral to Emergency Department
If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region:
- Neck mass causing severe upper airway complications or compromise
- Post-operative neck or upper airway complications e.g. bleeding, haematoma or voice changes
Immediately contact on-call registrar or service to arrange an immediate ENT assessment (seen within 7 days) for:
- Confirmed head and neck malignancy
To contact the relevant service, please see HealthPathways: Acute ENT Assessment
Presenting issues |
- Confirmed head and neck malignancy
- Suspicious solid mass, or cystic neck lumps, present for more than four weeks
- New suspicious solid mass, or cystic neck lumps, in patients with a previous head / neck malignancy
- Sialadenitis
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Mandatory referral information (referral will be returned if this information is not included) |
If patient is eligible for the Fiona Stanley Hospital Rapid Access Neck Lump Clinic:
- No additional investigations required before referral
All other patients:
History
- Smoking and alcohol history
- Current medication list including whether patient is currently taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication
Investigations
- USS +/- CT neck results
- FBC
- U&Es
If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral
Referrer to state reason if not able to include mandatory information in referral (e.g. patient unable to access test due to geographical location or financial cost)
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Highly desirable referral information |
- CT chest +/- FNA results (provider and date)
- Coagulation studies
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Indicative triage category
Indicative triage category |
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days |
- Suspicious solid mass and/or cystic neck lumps > 6 weeks and any of the following:
- history of smoking
- history of excessive alcohol intake
- previous head/neck malignancy
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Category 2
Appointment within 90 days |
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Category 3
Appointment within 365 days |
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Last reviewed: 24-05-2023
More information
Email: DOHSpecialistRAC@health.wa.gov.au