Hi Emma,

Just to help clarify a few things... teeth that have cavities... or rot, as you stated... are actually infected because a cavity is the beginning of an infection. The deeper the cavity, the larger the infection. It is not unusual for infected teeth to cause swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck. So that could explain why you had the "odd lumps" on your neck prior to the extraction of these teeth.

Throughout the body, we have several clusters of lymph nodes and they help the immune system to filter and remove infection, dead cells, toxins, etc. They also assist the circulatory system by carrying nutrients, oxygen and hormones from our blood to our cells in an attempt to rejuvenate or make them healthy again. The healing process can take a long time which could cause the lymph nodes to remain swollen for awhile.

Some indications that the lymph nodes are overwhelmed and may not be able to filter properly is if the nodes are tender... stay very swollen... new swellings develop in other areas of the body... develop a fever... malaise... fatigue... sore throat...slow healing from a cut....

Some things your doctor can do to test for infection.... blood testing that would include a CBC w/ differential and C reactive protein....physically exam your lymph nodes in your neck, arm pits, groin, chest....

An xray of your neck is probably not going to be of diagnostic value unless you have a mass of some sort. The cyst in your ear may or may not be related. What did your doctor suggest you do about that?

Bryanna