Acute Mastoiditis

Complication of acute otitis media involving infection of the mastoid air cells

Aetiology

  • Middle ear infections (otitis media) can spread to the mastoid air cells
  • Most frequently bacterial - Strep. pneumoniae, H. influenzae

Pathophysiology

  • The mastoid air cells are a suitable site for pathogenic replication due to their porous nature

Clinical presentation

  • Pain, tenderness and swelling behind the ear
notion image

Investigations

  • Imaging - CT, MRI

Management

  • IV antibiotics and some cases may require surgical drainage

Complications

  • The mastoid process itself can get infected, and this can spread to the middle cranial fossa, and into the brain, causing meningitis