Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsComplicationsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
This article discusses mastoiditis—symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and treatment options.
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What Causes Mastoiditis?
Mastoiditis can be acute (lasting less than one month) or chronic (lasting for months or years). Chronic mastoiditis causes persistent ear drainage and often occurs from a ruptured eardrum.
Can Mastoiditis Develop Without an Ear Infection?Although rare, mastoiditis can occur without an ear infection. A cholesteatoma (skin growth) can develop in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, which can become infected.
Can Mastoiditis Develop Without an Ear Infection?
Although rare, mastoiditis can occur without an ear infection. A cholesteatoma (skin growth) can develop in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, which can become infected.
Mastoiditis Symptoms
Mastoiditis is rare, but children are the most affected population.If you notice the following symptoms in your child, follow up with a healthcare provider for additional testing:
Mastoiditis Complications
Mastoiditis can lead to severe complications, even with treatment, and can include the following:
Complications of mastoiditis are also more likely to occur in older adults or those with preexisting health conditions.
Can Mastoiditis Go Away on Its Own?Mastoiditis will not go away without treatment. The infection will continue to spread, which can ultimately be life-threatening. Even with proper treatment, the condition can return, leading to chronic mastoiditis.
Can Mastoiditis Go Away on Its Own?
Mastoiditis will not go away without treatment. The infection will continue to spread, which can ultimately be life-threatening. Even with proper treatment, the condition can return, leading to chronic mastoiditis.
How to Diagnose Mastoiditis
A healthcare provider, such as anotolaryngologist, also referred to as an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT), will conduct a physical exam to begin the diagnosis process. They will use a handheld tool called anotoscopeto look at the inside of the ear.
Some symptoms of mastoiditis, such as redness, swelling, and drainage, are easy to spot but are also shared with other medical conditions.
A provider might also usetympanometry, a procedure to assess middle ear functioning.
Additional testing can include:
How Do Healthcare Providers Treat Mastoiditis?
The primary treatment for mastoiditis is antibiotic medications.A healthcare provider administers these medications intravenously (through an IV) in a hospital setting. In some cases, depending on the type of bacteria present, they provide additional antibiotics.
Sometimes, medications are unsuccessful in treating mastoiditis, in which case a healthcare provider will recommend surgical treatment.
During the procedure, a provider makes a small hole in the eardrum to relieve pressure in the middle ear and help drain excess fluid. They may place a tiny tube in this opening to help keep fluid from building up. These tubes are temporary and typically fall out independently in about six to 12 months.
Severe cases of mastoiditis might require amastoidectomy—surgical removal of air cells in the mastoid, which poses additional risks, including:
Can Mastoiditis Be Prevented?
Summary
Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection affecting the mastoid part of the temporal skull bones behind the ears. This condition can cause pain, swelling, ear drainage, headaches, fever, chills, and additional symptoms. It most often develops after an ear infection and typically occurs in children.
Mastoiditis can lead to severe complications, including meningitis and hearing loss. A healthcare provider can diagnose it through a physical exam, a culture, blood work, and imaging. The primary treatment for mastoiditis is IV antibiotics, but more severe cases might require surgery.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cholesteatoma.
Cassano P, Ciprandi G, Passali D.Acute mastoiditis in children.Acta Biomed. 2020;91(Suppl 1):54-59. doi:10.23750%2Fabm.v91i1-S.9259
Mansour S, Magnan J, Nicolas K, Haidar H.Acute otitis media and acute coalescent mastoiditis.Middle Ear Diseases. 85-113. doi:10.1007%2F978-3-319-72962-6_2
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National Library of Medicine.Mastoidectomy.
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