Acute Matoiditis in children is not common in this antibiotic era. But at times children are brought to clinic with this potentially dangerous ear infection.
Mastoiditis is an infection of the spaces within the mastoid bone. It is almost always associated with otitis media an infection of the middle ear. In the most serious cases, the bone itself becomes infected.
The mastoid is a part of the side (temporal bone) of the skull. It can be felt as a bony bump just behind and slightly above the level of the earlobe. The mastoid has been described as resembling a “honeycomb” of tiny partitioned-off airspaces. The mastoid is connected with the middle ear, so that when there is a collection of fluid in the middle ear, there is usually also a slight collection of fluid within the airspaces of the mastoid.
Mastoiditis can range from a simple case of some fluid escaping into the mastoid air cells during a middle ear infection, to a more complex infection which penetrates through to the lining of the mastoid bone, to a very severe and destructive infection of the mastoid bone itself.
Diagnosis
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, the physician inspects using an otoscope the outer ears and eardrums of the child. Imaging studies are used to confirm diagnosis. A CT of the ear may show a fluid-filled middle ear and an abnormality in the mastoid bone. Audiograms can also be performed to assess hearing loss..
Treatment
Intravenous Antibiotics are typically the first course of action in treating mastoiditis.. Surgery to remove the affected portion of the mastoid bone (cortical Mastoidectomy) is performed if conservative treatment fails.
Dr Paulose is an ENT Consultant Plastic and Laser Surgeon with over 32 years of experience covering in Ear, Nose and Throat procedures, specializing in Laser Surgery and conventional medicine across India, U.K. and Middle East. He is currently engaged with the SUT Hospital, in Kerala, India. You can contact him today for help.
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hello, i am sending this message looking for hope for my 8 yr old son. We have been Six surgeries later, one removed a chleostoma and a mstiodectomy done 3x in 3 mos. I have now ran out of hope, my sons ear is now infected the back of the ear swelled and red. he has aspurgillus and other molds from over use of ear drops and antibiotics. i fear this will spread and this last weakend we drove to denver 2hrs away when his ear swelled again and he was in pain. the new ear drum broke and it did help. he has blood and green thick drainage. what are my chances of getting rid of this. I have been to 4 major hospitals in denver and all the leading ents in denver cannot get rid of it. Can the bone be removed to stop this infection?
i fear your son is in trouble.Unless I examine him physically, cannot give a proper advice. He needs to be investigated by 3D Ct scan, audiogram, etc…The infection can spread to vital structures around.If feasible make a trip to India.
kind regards