Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis

(On the left is an MRI axial T1-weighted image with IV contrast which shows Acute Mastoiditis on the left mastoid process)

Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection of the mastoid air cells within the mastoid process which is the bump located behind each ear. In most occurrences, it happens when an ear infection extends to the mucus membrane encompassing the mastoid process and finally reaches the walls of the mastoid bone itself.
If mastoiditis continues and is not treated it can end in hearing loss and bone destruction in the skull. At the present time, the possibility is good for a full recovery if it is treated without any delay otherwise it could lead to worst problems such as facial paralysis, labyrinthitis, meningitis and brain abscess.

There are various bacteria that can cause mastoiditis such as beta-hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, hemophilus influenzae, gram-negative organisms and pneumococcus (typically in children under the age of six). Mastoiditis is commonly a complication of Chronic and acute otitis media.
Indications of mastoiditis may consist of low-grade fever, edema of the tympanic membrane, dull ache and tenderness in the area of the mastoid process, thick purulent discharge that commonly becomes more prolific possible conductive hearing loss and postauricular erythema and edema. In order to treat mastoiditis, intense parenteral antibiotic therapy is used which can be done intravenous or intramuscular. If the bone has minimal damage, a myringotomy is done to drain the purulent fluid. A simple mastoidectomy would be required if the infection persists or recurs but if the mastoid is habitually inflamed a radial mastectomy would be necessary. With both the simply or radical mastectomy, the patient would still undergo oral antibiotic therapy.