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Weird bony mass near ear

Hi

About a month ago I was feeling my neck muscles, on the left side, and found what is either a really tight knot or an out of place bone mass. I really have no idea. The location is behind my ear, about a finger width beyond where my jawbone connects to my skull. The mass appears to be attached to my skull and is about an inch in length - when feeling it I can work my finger down it and then it just drops abruptly and becomes fleshy. It is really hard and doesn't have any give. It feels like a nodule attached to the bottom of my mastoid bone (the curving portion).

This doesn't cause any direct pain. There is nothing similar on the right side of my neck. At first I thought it was my SCM muscle but I think I can separate that from this mass.

I have been having neck tension for months now (since a bppv episode in Dec) as well as random tingles, ear pressure on my left side, dizziness etc that get worse as the day progresses. Sometimes it feels like my neck wants to tilt strongly towards my left. I suspect this might be related.

There is no swelling behind my ear and you can't notice it unless you feel around deeply.

Any thoughts? Just a severely knotted muscle (scalene?)? Random bone mass growth?

Thanks

Joe
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973741 tn?1342342773
That is a common place to get small cysts (harmless typically).  The other issue you speak of with the ear pressure and dizziness, that is most likely INNER ear related.  That would control those functions.  The Eustachian tube for example is where most issues you describe with the vertigo that got worse originate at.  

This very well could be a small cyst.  Or there is a bone attachment there that muscle is over and it can get tight.  But you would definitely feel pain/tension like a headache if that was the case.

If it continues, get checked by your doctor.  
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2 Comments
Thanks. I am assuming a cyst would be pliable or spongy? This is definitely bone hard and is under muscles.
I have been having tension like headaches, usually near the temples or base of skull. They tend to improve when i lay down. The pain is negligible and more an acknowledgement of some pressure. I suspect whatever this thing is is pushing on my SCM muscle and that is causing my other symptoms.
Joe
Sorry to hear that.  I would see your doctor about it asap then.  I was in a car accident and have a chronic neck injury and I get tight right behind the ear where the muscles meet.  I always have headaches when it is tight.  Massage or a cold ice pack helps me.  But I don't know what the underlying issue is with you. So, really, see your doctor to determine.  Come back and tell us what they say!  good luck
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