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Oral Surgery · single question

Lateral neck swelling with pain on swallowing is MOST likely from:

  1. Parotid gland enlargement
  2. Lymphoma
  3. Abscess of the submandibular gland / submandibular space infection
  4. Branchial cleft cyst
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Abscess of the submandibular gland / submandibular space infection

  • A. Incorrect. Parotid enlargement causes preauricular swelling, not primarily lateral neck.
  • B. Incorrect. Lymphoma typically presents as painless lymphadenopathy.
  • C. Incorrect. Submandibular space infections can cause lateral neck swelling with odynophagia — but 'lateral swelling + pain when swallowing' in the dental context also matches submandibular gland infection/sialolithiasis. This is the correct answer per the source.
  • D. Incorrect. Branchial cleft cysts are usually painless lateral neck masses in young patients.

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