Question 1

what is mastoiditis?

Accepted Answer

Infection: Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection of the mastoid bone. The mastoid bone, sits behind the ear.  Middle ear infections can lead to mastoiditis.

Question 2

does mastoiditis recur?

Accepted Answer

Possible: Yes it can recur.   Any infection in the body has the potential to reoccur.   Please have your doctor evaluate you if there are any signs of pain, swelling, redness, warmness, fever or chills.

Question 3

how does mastoiditis spread?

Accepted Answer

See below: Untreated mastoiditis can spread to the brain leading to meningitis or brain abcess which can be fatal. The specialty of ENT was created prior to the discovery of penicillin and at that time mastoidectomy is the only life saving treatment!

Question 4

has anyone treated mastoiditis?

Accepted Answer

Yes and why?: Acute mastoiditis are not uncommon in young children. Chronic mastoiditis are more common in older children and adults. See an ENT doctor for work up and treatment.

Question 5

what can be done for mastoiditis?

Accepted Answer

Abx and Surg: Mastoiditis is an infection of the bone structure that contains and surrounds your hearing organ (cochlea) and other structures (ossicles, balance center, etc). Initially there is a role for antibiotics. But if antibiotics dont work, the treatment is consider surgically removing the diseased bone by drilling it out.(mastoidectomy).

Question 6

what are the tests for mastoiditis?

Accepted Answer

CT scan: If there is not clear cut swelling behind the ear, then ct scan is the best way to diagnose mastoiditis.  Cloudy mastoid cells on ct is not mastoiditis, that is just an ear infection.  If there is breakdown of the tiny air sacs of the mastoid bone on ct, then the diagnosis of mastoiditis is correct.

Question 7

how quickly will mastoiditis spread?

Accepted Answer

Not quickly: Mastouditis is not contagious. Treatment is usually antibiotics but may require surgery if symptoms do not improve or have recurred several times.

Question 8

what are the symptoms of mastoiditis?

Accepted Answer

Look to the ear: Acute mastoiditis has fever, ear pain, tenderness behind the ear, and the ear may even stick out more than it normally does.

Chronic mastoiditis shows with drainage which persists despite common treatments.  

See your ear doctor for chronic but get immediate care for an acute case as it may need urgent surgery.

Question 9

how long until mastoiditis gets severe?

Accepted Answer

1: week or less if it is infected.

Question 10

could i have mastoiditis? how do i tell?

Accepted Answer

See MD ASAP: If you have any concern about this as a possibility, please see an md asap!

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