| Mastoiditis is an infection of the spaces within the | | | | produces cross-sectional images (often called slices), |
| mastoid bone. It is almost always associated with otitis | | | | both horizontally and vertically, of the body. |
| media, an infection of the middle ear. In the most | | | | Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic |
| serious cases, the bone itself becomes infected. It may | | | | procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, |
| spread into small cavities in the bone, blocking their | | | | radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed |
| drainage. Very severe cases infect the whole middle | | | | images of organs and structures within the |
| ear cleft. | | | | body.lumbar puncture - a special needle is placed into |
| Mastoiditis is an inflammation or infection of the | | | | the lower back, into the spinal canal. This is the area |
| mastoid bone, which is a portion of the temporal bone. | | | | around the spinal cord. The pressure in the spinal canal |
| The mastoid consists of air cells that drain the middle | | | | and brain can then be measured. A small amount of |
| ear. Mastoiditis occurs equally in males and females. | | | | cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can be removed and sent |
| Mastoiditis most commonly affects children. Mastoiditis | | | | for testing to determine if there is an infection or other |
| develops when middle ear inflammation spreads to the | | | | problems. CSF is the fluid that bathes your child's brain |
| mastoid air cells, resulting in infection and destruction of | | | | and spinal cord. |
| the mastoid bone. Some symptoms and signs of | | | | Treatment of Mastoiditis |
| mastoiditis to pain and tenderness in the mastoid | | | | Treatment of mastoiditis consists of intense parenteral |
| region, as well as swelling. It may have ear pain | | | | (intravenous or intramuscular) antibiotic therapy. |
| (otalgia), and the ear or mastoid region can be red | | | | If bone damage is minimal, myringotomy drains purulent |
| (erythematous). | | | | fluid and provides a specimen of discharge for culture |
| Causes | | | | and sensitivity testing. |
| Mastoiditis is usually a consequence of a middle ear | | | | Treatment for mastoiditis consists of intense |
| infection (acute otitis media). The infection may spread | | | | parenteral antibiotic therapy. Reasonable initial antibiotic |
| from the ear to the mastoid bone of the skull. The | | | | choices include ceftriaxone with nafcillin or clindamycin. |
| mastoid bone fills with infected materials and its | | | | If bone damage is minimal, myringotomy or |
| honeycomb-like structure may deteriorate. | | | | tympanocentesis drains purulent fluid and provides a |
| Mastoiditis most commonly affects children. Before | | | | specimen of discharge for culture and sensitivity |
| antibiotics, mastoiditis was one of the leading causes | | | | testing. Recurrent or persistent infection or signs of |
| of death in children. Now it is a relatively uncommon | | | | intracranial complications necessitate simple |
| and much less dangerous disorder. | | | | mastoidectomy. |
| Sign and symptoms may include the following : | | | | This procedure involves removal of the diseased bone |
| · Headache. | | | | and cleaning of the affected area, after which a drain |
| · Redness of the ear. | | | | is inserted Surgery to remove part of the bone and |
| · Swelling of the ear lobe . | | | | drain the mastoid (mastoidectomy) may be needed if |
| · Fever. | | | | antibiotic therapy is not successful. Surgical drainage of |
| · Discomfort | | | | the middle ear through the eardrum (myringotomy) |
| Diagnosis | | | | may be needed to treat the underlying middle ear |
| Computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or | | | | infection. |
| CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that | | | | |