Mastoiditis

Introduction

Mastoiditis is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mastoid bone behind the ear. It's more common in children. Most people with mastoiditis recover quickly and have no complications as long asthe condition is diagnosed and treated quickly. This topic covers: Mastoiditis When to seek medical advice Causes Diagnosis Treatment Complications

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Articles for mastoiditis

Introduction

Read about mastoiditis, a serious bacterial infection that affects the mastoid bone behind the ear.

Symptoms of mastoiditis

The symptoms of mastoiditis typically include: redness, tendernessand pain behind the ear swelling behind the ear that can cause it to stick out discharge from the ear a high temperature, irritab

When to get medical advice

Seeyour GPas soon as possible if you or your child have: any symptoms of mastoiditis an ear infection that doesn't clear up with treatment or is followed by new symptoms been diagnosed with mastoi

Causes ofmastoiditis

The mastoid bone has a honeycomb-like structure that contains air spaces called mastoid cells. Mastoiditis can develop if the mastoid cells become infected or inflamed, often followinga persistent mi

Diagnosing mastoiditis

Your GP will examine the inside of the ear with an otoscope (a device with a light and magnifying glass). If your GP thinks you have mastoiditis as a complication of a middle ear infection, they'll r

Treating mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is a serious infection and should be diagnosed and treated quickly with antibiotics . You may need to go to hospital so antibiotics can be given directly into a vein through a drip. In s

Complications of mastoiditis

Although most people with mastoiditis don't experience serious complications, treatment isn't always easy and the infectionmay come back. If the mastoid bone isseverely infected and isn't removed, it

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