Private Child Armpit / Axilla Ultrasound

Your child might need an armpit (axilla) ultrasound if you have noticed a lump or swelling under their arm, swollen glands, or a lymph node that has not settled after a cold, sore throat or skin infection. It is also the right next step if a GP has felt an enlarged gland and would like a clear, expert look to see exactly what it is.

Childhood armpit lumps are most often reactive lymph nodes, small glands that swell as the body fights a nearby infection, then gradually settle on their own. An ultrasound scan is the quickest, gentlest way to confirm this and give you peace of mind.

An armpit ultrasound takes a close, detailed look at the lymph nodes and soft tissue under your child’s arm. In particular it helps the specialist assess:

• A lump or swelling you or your GP can feel.
• Enlarged or swollen lymph glands.
• A lymph node that has persisted longer than expected.
• Whether a node looks reactive (the usual, harmless response to infection).
• Other soft-tissue causes of a lump, such as a simple cyst.
• The size, shape and internal pattern of each node.
• Blood flow within a node, using Colour Doppler.

Together these features let the specialist tell a normal, reactive node apart from anything that may simply need a little follow-up.

It uses gentle, pain-free sound waves to build a live picture on screen, with no radiation, no needles and no injections.

A small amount of warm, clear gel is placed on the skin and a smooth, hand-held probe is moved gently over the armpit. The specialist also uses Colour Doppler, which shows the blood flow inside a node and helps confirm that it is behaving like a normal, reactive gland.

Because there is no radiation and nothing uncomfortable involved, the scan is completely safe to repeat if your specialist ever wants to check that a node has settled.

The appointment is quick, calm and child-friendly. You stay with your child for the duration of the scan, carried out by a specialist senior sonographer. You can pause at any point.

Here is what usually happens:

• Your child lies back or sits comfortably on your lap, and simply lifts the arm a little to show the armpit.
• A small amount of warm gel is placed on the skin, it may feel slightly cool at first but is not uncomfortable.
• The sonographer moves a smooth probe gently over the area. It does not hurt, and there are no needles or injections.
• The whole scan usually takes just a few minutes.

Many children find the moving picture on the screen interesting, and bringing a favourite toy or comforter can help younger ones relax.

There is no preparation needed. Your child does not need to fast, drink water or change anything about their normal routine, and they can take any usual medication as normal.

It can help to dress your child in a loose top or t-shirt that makes it easy to lift the arm, and you are very welcome to bring a favourite toy, book or comforter. There is nothing you need to do beforehand, just arrive as you are.

Yes, the scan is completely safe. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create its picture, so there is no radiation whatsoever, unlike an X-ray or CT scan. There are no needles, no injections and no known side effects.

Because it is so safe, ultrasound is the preferred way to look at lumps and lymph nodes in children, and it can be repeated as often as needed without any risk. Your child can carry on with their day completely as normal straight after the appointment.

You shouldn’t have to wait for important answers about your baby’s health. That’s why, at the Harley Street Ultrasound Group, we give you same-day results.

Your specialist senior sonographer will talk you through what they can see during the scan itself, so you leave the room with an understanding of your child's findings. Your full medical report with tailored advice and any recommended next steps will be ready the same day, along with high-resolution digital images of the scan.

You can view and share both the report and the images securely from any internet-connected device, including your phone, and forward them directly to your GP, health visitor or a paediatric specialist.

By far the most common finding is a reactive lymph node. This is a normal gland that has simply enlarged while fighting a nearby infection, such as a cold, sore throat, an insect bite, eczema or a small skin graze on the arm. On ultrasound it has a typical, reassuring shape with a clear centre and normal blood flow, and it settles by itself over a few weeks.

Other findings can include:

• A simple cyst, a harmless fluid-filled lump.
• A small, benign soft-tissue lump such as a lipoma.
• Several small, normal-looking nodes that are nothing to worry about.

Your specialist will explain in plain language exactly what was seen and what it means for your child.

In the great majority of cases, no. A childhood armpit lump is most often a harmless reactive lymph node that swells in response to a nearby infection and then settles on its own. It is very natural to feel anxious when you find a lump on your child, but these swollen glands are extremely common and rarely a sign of anything serious.

The purpose of the scan is reassurance: it lets a specialist confirm that the lump looks like a normal, reactive node, so you can stop worrying and get on with family life. In the small number of cases where a node looks a little different, the same scan simply tells your specialist that a short follow-up or further check would be sensible, nothing more alarming than that.

Most reactive lymph nodes settle on their own and need nothing more than reassurance. Your specialist may suggest a simple follow-up scan in a few weeks if a node is on the larger side, to confirm it is shrinking as expected. This is routine and precautionary, not a cause for alarm.

As a parent, it is worth booking a review or speaking to your GP if you notice that a lump is steadily getting bigger, has lasted more than a few weeks without settling, feels hard or fixed, or comes with night sweats, unexplained weight loss or a persistent fever. These signs are uncommon, but checking them promptly is always the right thing to do.

Whatever the finding, your report sets out a clear, sensible next step so you always know exactly where you stand.

A Private Child Armpit (Axilla) Ultrasound at the Harley Street Ultrasound Group is £350, all fees inclusive.

What’s included in the price:

• One-to-one appointment with a specialist senior sonographer experienced with children.
• Gentle armpit (axilla) ultrasound plus Colour Doppler assessment.
• Detailed written medical report with tailored advice.
• Same-day high-resolution digital images delivered to your secure portal.
• No referral required and no waiting list, most families are seen within 24 to 48 hours.

We accept self-pay and most major UK private health insurers. If you have insurance, please contact your provider before booking to confirm your policy covers a private child pelvic ultrasound, and our team is happy to provide any details they need.

Many parents worry that coming to us privately will somehow affect their baby’s NHS care. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get your baby on the right path fast. When you come to us, your child is seen by a qualified specialist who can investigate their symptoms the same day. If your child needs further care, our specialist will write to your NHS GP advising them, and your report and images can be shared securely with any NHS paediatric team.

We don’t want you to wait weeks for reassurance, every day matters when it is your child’s health and your peace of mind.