Benign head and neck conditions
Specialist assessment and surgery for non-cancerous conditions of the head and neck, including disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid and salivary glands.
What we treat
- Thyroid nodules, goitre and benign thyroid disease
- Parathyroid disorders, including hyperparathyroidism
- Benign salivary gland tumours and swellings
- Salivary gland stones and recurrent infections
- Benign neck lumps, cysts and congenital neck abnormalities
- Enlarged lymph nodes and other neck masses
- Other benign tumours of the head and neck
Benign head and neck surgery
Our head and neck surgeons provide assessment, investigation and surgical management for benign head and neck conditions. Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include imaging, biopsy, surveillance or surgery. Procedures include thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, parotidectomy, submandibular gland surgery and excision of benign neck masses and cysts. Where appropriate, patients are managed with endocrinologists, radiologists and other specialists so that care is coordinated.
Referrals
Public referrals follow St Vincent’s Hospital’s established referral process; the referral form and how to send it are on the St Vincent’s Hospital ENT page. Private referrals go directly to the surgeon’s rooms.
Include relevant clinical findings, imaging, pathology and blood test results where available. Thyroid mass and salivary gland referrals are triaged under the NSW State-wide Referral Criteria.
Suspected malignancy: any neck lump, thyroid lesion or salivary gland mass suspicious for cancer should be referred urgently — mark the referral URGENT.
For urgent clinical advice or concerns requiring immediate assessment, phone St Vincent’s Hospital switchboard on (02) 8382 1111 and ask for the on-call ENT registrar. Email alone should not be relied on for time-critical concerns.
Our surgeons
The department’s consultant surgeons work across the full breadth of otolaryngology, head and neck and skull base surgery. Each consults publicly through St Vincent’s Hospital and privately in their own rooms.