<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.When I look in my 4 yr olds ear with an otoscope he has a black hair like object. Its texture looks like a stitch. What would that be? For at least six months now he has had swollen glands and lymph nodes throughout his neck, is there any connection between the two?  <response>: Hello, A child with swelling in the neck suggests of lymphadenopathy or lymph node swelling. Does he have a fever, significant weight loss? Does he have any other complaints like hearing loss on that side of the ear? He needs a few investigations of the blood like total and differential counts and the lymph nodes need to be evaluated by both general physical exam and probably a lymph node biopsy. The black mass in the ear needs to be examined by an horoscope and removed by an ENT Surgeon. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Chat Doctor. 