<s>[INST] I have pain and sometimes throbs behind my right ear, there is a lump and if I get stressed it hurts. I have had it for years. I did have a car accident in 1990 and had whip lash in my neck and it was bruised in that area. I m 41 years old and female. [/INST] HI,Welcome  to HCM.Based on the facts of your query,a painful lump behind your right ear,seems to be related with a whiplash bruise injury to right mastoid many years ago-in 1990. You need to check out other causes of such a recurring lump,which Your Surgeon Doctor would do the needful.I would suggest to have Second Opinion from Surgeon,who would physically check and if need be get USG done to find out the cause of this painful  swelling behind right ear.This would give you the best lead to treat it by medicines or by surgical intervention as suggested from expert-surgeon.In My opinion,you seem to have a chronic infection in right mastoid in the partially resolved hematoma of the mastoid behind right ear.Other causes need to be ruled out as above.CT skull would be better in finding out the cause of this lump.Hope this reply would help you to know what you should do? in your case,in the best possible way.Welcome for any further query in this regardWill appreciate writing your feedback review comments,to help the needy patients like you at HCM.Good Day!!     Dr.Savaskar,Senior Surgical SpecialistM.S.Genl-CVTS </s>