-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
eyes/ears/nose/throat
mastoiditis
diagnoses

definition and etiology

definition: Bacterial infection of the mastoid process

etiology: Extension of acute purulent middle ear infection to the mastoid process.

signs and symptoms

• Postauricular abscess: With lateral cortex destruction.
• Mastoid process: Red, swollen, painful, fluctuation.
• Ear lobe is displaced inferiorly and laterally.
• Hearing loss.
• Pain, fever, creamy discharge.

lab findings:
• (+) increased WBCs with shift to left
• (+) culturing of discharge for bacteria
• increased ESR

course and prognosis

May destroy mastoid air cells if not treated rapidly. Prognosis is good with appropriate therapy. If a subperiosteal abscess forms, then a mastoidectomy is indicated.

differential diagnosis

• acute otitis


footnotes