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Mastoiditis
Medical Questions » Mastoiditis
| Name: Mastoiditis |
| Also known as: |
| Bacterial infection of the mastoid bone, which is a small bump of bone at the bottom of the skull immediately behind the ear that contains a microscopic honeycomb of air filled spaces. |
Causes of Mastoiditis
Almost invariably occurs as a result of infection spreading from the middle ear in patients who have recurrent or severe attacks of middle ear infection (otitis media). |
Symptoms of Mastoiditis
Severe pain and tenderness behind the ear, fever, and redness over the mastoid bone. The ear may discharge pus if the eardrum or a mastoid abscess has ruptured. |
Tests for Mastoiditis
An X-ray of the mastoid shows the air spaces within it to be destroyed and replaced by pus (an abscess). |
Treatment for Mastoiditis
Potent antibiotics which are sometimes given by injection. If these fail, an operation to drain the pus out of the mastoid bone will be necessary (a mastoidectomy).
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Complications of Mastoiditis of its treatment
In some cases the infection will eat away the bone at the back of the ear canal and allow the pus to escape into the ear. The hole between the ear canal and the mastoid air cells, and the cavity in the mastoid bone that
results from the infection, are permanent. If left untreated, the infection may spread into the brain. |
Likely Outcome of Mastoiditis
Good with appropriate treatment. |
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