The discovery of a cervical mass in children is a situation quite frequently encountered and often represents a diagnostic or therapeutic challenge for the practicing physician. Although approximately 12% to 15% of all neck masses (NMs) in children may be malignant, most commonly these masses are benign. This study included 137 patients aged between 14 months and 18 years old, with the majority (54.01%) of patients being less than five years old. A total of 83 (60.58%) patients were presented with a single NM, with 64 (59.12%) patients having mass located on the midline of the neck. Preoperatively, in addition to laboratory tests, imaging examinations played an important role in diagnostic orientation and determining the therapeutic plan. Among the imaging examinations, ultrasound was the most commonly used, performed in 87 (63.5%) of the patients. The definitive diagnosis was established based on the histopathological examination of the excised specimens. Midline NMs were most frequently thyroglossal duct cysts or dermoid cysts, while lateral NMs were often lymphadenitis or branchial cysts. The aim of this study was to present the experience of 10 years in evaluating cervical masses in the neck area that appeared in children, their possible causes, the methods of investigation (considering the contribution and limitations of each diagnostic method), and the therapeutic approach (since there is no clear standardization of treatment in the literature).

BACKGROUND. Antrochoanal polyps (ACP) were originally reported by Gustav Killian in 1906. Antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) are benign polypoid lesions that begin in the maxillary antrum and extend into the choana. Although there have been recorded occurrences of bilateral ACPs in the literature, ACPs are mostly unilateral. They typically have an impact on youth and youngsters. MATERIAL AND METHODS. In a trial of 15 cases treated and admitted to our ENT Pediatric Department at the Emergency County Hospital Timisoara over the previous four years, the pathology, differential diagnosis, treatment, complications, etiopathogenesis, clinical features, positive and differential diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, pathology, and treatment of ACPs were reviewed in this study. RESULTS. The patients age group comprised five females (33.33%) and ten boys (66.67%), ranging in age from 7 to 16 years. The most common presenting symptoms were unilateral nasal obstruction (100%), purulent rhinorrhea (66.67%), olfactory impairment (53.33%), and mouth breathing (46.67%). A nasal endoscopy and a craniofacial CT scan were the gold standards for diagnosing ACP. The chosen course of treatment for all pediatric patients included in the study was surgery: 12 patients (80%) underwent transnasal endoscopic polypectomy, and 3 patients (20%) underwent both transnasal polypectomy and transcanine fossa approach. The success rate of the combined endoscopic and transcanine fossa approach was 100%, whereas the transnasal endoscopic surgery (polypectomy) had an 80% success rate. CONCLUSION. Polypectomy combined with a transcanine fossa approach technique and transnasal polypectomy is the optimal course of treatment.