Mastoiditis

An infection of the prominent bone behind the ear (mastoid bone) usually as a result of an EAR INFECTION. Mastoiditis usually affects children and can sometimes lead to HEARING PROBLEMS. This disease has become uncommon since the widespread use of antibiotics to control ear infections.

Cause
The disease occurs when infection spreads from the middle ear to a cavity in the mastoid bone, and from there to a honeycomb of air cells in the bone itself.

Symptoms
Severe EARACHE, headache, and fatigue. Swelling behind the ear is often enough to actually push the external ear out of position. Other symptoms may include fever, creamy discharge from the ear, and progressive hearing loss.

Complications
The infection may spread to inside the skull, causing MENINGITIS, brain abscess, or a blood clot in veins inside the brain. Alternatively, the infection may spread outward, affecting the facial nerve and causing a facial paralysis.

Diagnosis
Mastoiditis can be identified from a physical exam. Early diagnosis is essential because of the potential serious complications.

Treatment
This infection is not easy to treat and often requires intravenous antibiotics for several days. If the infection persists, an operation called a mastoidectomy may be required. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision behind the ear to open up the mastoid bone and remove the infected air cells. A drainage tube is left in place and removed several days after the operation.