Introduction
Mastoiditis is a complication of acute otitis media or infection on top of chronic suppurative otitis media.
Luckily it is rare.
Possible complications of mastoidits include:
- Intracranial
- Meningitis
- Abscess (cerebrum/cerebellum)
- Extracranial
- Mastoid abscess
- Facial nerve palsy
Diagnosis:
- Patient will be systemically unwell
- Preceding symptoms of Acute Otitis media
- Ear pushed forward and downward (see right ear in frontal view)
- Swelling (often tender) behind ear (see right ear in posterior view)
Management multidisciplinary:
Medical and ENT
Treatment with IV antibiotics and occasional surgical drainage
Management is multidisciplinary, shared between medical and ENT.
Treatment is with antibiotics, mostly IV and occasional surgical drainage.
This is an acute emergency requiring immediate transfer to nearest A&E for assessment and initial management. A&E will contact the relevant teams.
Refer to Emergency Department.
