Concern About Chin Lump
Greetings everyone, I'm a 33-year-old woman who has noticed a lump on my chin that has persisted for a few months now. Standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 168 pounds, I sought medical advice from a doctor who prescribed antibiotics along with fusidic acid cream. I completed the course of treatment just last week, yet the lump still remains. I have another appointment scheduled with my general practitioner in three weeks, but I'm contemplating whether I should seek medical attention sooner. I’m not taking any other medications, and while I don’t smoke, I do enjoy an occasional glass of wine on weekends. The lump is painful and quite noticeable, which raises my concern. What might this lump be? Is it possible that it could be a cyst or a boil? Any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 3:40:52 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about a persistent and painful lump on your chin. This could potentially be a cyst, a boil, or even a swollen lymph node among other possibilities. Since you’ve already completed a course of antibiotics and the lump remains painful and noticeable, monitoring it closely is important, but seeking further evaluation sooner may be warranted.
Key Points to Consider:
- Possible Causes: Given your description, the lump might be a sebaceous cyst, an infected hair follicle (boil), or swollen lymph nodes due to various causes.
- Persistent Symptoms: Since the lump has not improved after antibiotic treatment and is causing you discomfort, it’s wise to reassess the situation.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in the lump's size, shape, or level of pain. Note if you experience any additional symptoms such as fever or drainage from the lump.
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Pain Management: Depending on the pain level, you might consider over-the-counter pain relief such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help manage discomfort.
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Contact Your Doctor: Given the lump's persistence and the fact it remains painful, it would be reasonable to contact your doctor sooner than your scheduled appointment. Explain that there has been no improvement and express your concerns about the pain and visibility of the lump. They may want to evaluate it sooner or refer you to a specialist.
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Avoid Irritation: Be gentle with the area; avoid squeezing or putting pressure on the lump, as this might worsen your symptoms or lead to further infection.
Remember, you are doing the right thing by seeking medical advice and staying proactive about your health. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need additional clarification.
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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7 Months Old) - **Weight:** 9 kg (good growth rate in spite of condition) - **Jaundice:** Continues to be present (yellow skin) - **Stools:** Remain pale/clay-colored - **Development:** Achieving appropriate milestones - **Energy:** Appears to have a good energy level - **Feeding:** Normal appetite --- ## QUESTIONS FOR r/AskDocs We have been informed this is **Type 2 Abernethy malformation** (portal vein present). **Three treatment avenues have been proposed:** ### Option 1: **Endovascular Coil Embolization** (minimally invasive approach) - A catheter is inserted via the leg vein to access the shunt and deploy coils/plugs to close the abnormal vessels - Pros: No surgical incision, minimal discomfort, short hospital stay (2-4 days), no scars, enhanced safety - Duration: 1-2 hours - Recovery: 2-4 weeks for jaundice to show improvement ### Option 2: **Open Surgical Intervention** - An incision in the abdomen to ligate abnormal vessels and redirect blood to the liver - Pros: Direct visualization, effective results - Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.