0
Petrositis is an inflammation of the temporal bone, a bone in the skull that surrounds the ear. This inflammation goes deep to the inner ear. It is sometimes associated with otitis media (middle ear infection).
ReferencesChole RA, Sudhoff HH. Chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, and petrositis. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, Robbins KT, Thomas JR, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2005: chap 133.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoPetrositis usually refers to infection of the temporal bone, the bone in the skull that surrounds the ear. This infection goes deep to the inner ear. It is sometimes associated with otitis media (a middle ear infection).
ReferencesChole RA, Sudhoff HH. Chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, and petrositis. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund VJ, Niparko JK, Richardson MA, Robbins KT, Thomas JR, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 139.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/15/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Cholesteatoma?
DefinitionCholesteatoma is a type of skin cyst located in the middle ear.Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCholesteatoma can be a birth defect (congenital), but it more commonly occurs as a complication of chronic ear infection.Poor function in the eustachian tube leads to negative pressure in the middle ear. This pulls a part of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) the wrong way, creating a sac or cyst that fills with old skin cells and other waste material. The cyst becomes infected. The cyst may get bigger and break down some of the middle ear bones, affecting hearing.SymptomsDizzinessDrainage from the earHearing loss in one earPain or numbness in or around the earSigns and testsAn ear exam may show a pocket or perforation (opening) in the eardrum, often with drainage. The deposit of old skin cells may be visible with an otoscope, a special instrument to view the ear.The following tests may be performed to rule out other causes of dizziness.Caloric stimulationCT scanElectronystagmographyTreatmentSurgery is needed to remove the cyst.Expectations (prognosis)Cholesteatomas usually continue to grow if not removed. Surgery usually works, but you may occasionally need the ear cleaned by a health care provider. Additional surgery may be needed if the cholesteatoma comes back.ComplicationsBrain abscessDeafness in one earDizziness (vertigo)Erosion into the facial nerve (causing facial paralysis)LabyrinthitisMeningitisPersistent ear drainageSpread of the cyst into the brainCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if ear pain, drainage from the ear, or other symptoms occur or worsen, or if hearing loss occurs.PreventionPrompt and complete treatment of chronic ear infection may help to prevent some cases of cholesteatoma.ReferencesSmith JA, Danner CJ. Complications of chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2006;39(6):1237-1255.
Ear infection - chronic?
DefinitionChronic ear infection is inflammation or infection of the middle ear that persists or keeps coming back, and causes long-term or permanent damage to the ear.See also: Acute ear infectionAlternative NamesMiddle ear infection - chronic; Otitis media - chronic; Chronic otitis media; Chronic ear infectionCauses, incidence, and risk factorsFor each ear, a eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat. This tube drains fluid that is normally made in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up. When this happens, germs such as bacteria and viruses can multiply and cause an infection. This is called an acute ear infection (acute otitis media).A chronic ear infection occurs when fluid or an infection behind the eardrum does not go away. A chronic ear infection may be caused by an acute ear infection that does not clear completely, or repeated ear infections. Fluid in the middle ear may become very thick. Sometimes, the eardrum (tympanic membrane) may stick to the bones in the middle ear.A chronic ear infection may cause permanent changes to the ear and nearby bones, including:Infection in the mastoid bone behind the ear (mastoiditis)Ongoing drainage from a hole in the eardrum that does not heal, or after the ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) are insertedCyst of the middle ear (cholesteatoma)Hardening of the tissue in the middle ear (tympanosclerosis)Damage to, or wearing away of the bones of the middle ear, which help with hearing"Suppurative chronic otitis" is a phrase doctors use to describe an eardrum that keeps rupturing, draining, or swelling in the middle ear or mastoid area and does not go away.Ear infections are more common in children because their Eustachian tubes are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than in adults. Chronic ear infections are much less common than acute ear infections.SymptomsA chronic, long-term infection in the ear may have less severe symptoms than an acute infection. It may go unnoticed and untreated for a long time.Symptoms include:Ear pain or discomfort, earacheUsually mildMay feel like pressure in the earFeverFussinessPus-like drainage from the earHearing lossNote: Symptoms may be continuous or come and go, and may occur in one or both ears.Signs and testsAn examination of the ear may show:DullnessRednessAir bubblesFluid behind the eardrumDraining fluid from the eardrumA hole (perforation) in the eardrumThe eardrum bulges out or pulls back inwardTests may include:Cultures of the fluid may show bacteria, and these bacteria may be resistant or harder to treat than the bacteria commonly involved in an acute ear infection.Skull x-rays or a CT scan of the head or mastoids may show that the infection has spread beyond the middle ear.Hearing tests may be needed.TreatmentThe health care provider may prescribe antibiotics if the infection may be due to bacteria. You may need to take antibiotics for a long time, either by mouth or sometimes into a vein (intravenously).If there is a hole in the eardrum, antibiotic ear drops are used. For a difficult-to-treat infected ear that has a hole (perforation), a dilute acidic solution (such as distilled vinegar and water) may be recommended by your health care provider.A surgeon may need to clean out (debride) tissue that has gathered inside the ear.Other surgeries that may be needed include:Surgery to clean the infection out of the mastoid bone (mastoidectomy)Surgery to repair or replace the small bones in the middle earRepair of the eardrumExpectations (prognosis)Chronic ear infections usually respond to treatment. However, your child may need to keep taking medicines for several months.Chronic ear infections are not life threatening, but they can be uncomfortable and may result in hearing loss and other serious complications.ComplicationsPartial or complete hearing loss due to damage of the middle earSlow development of language or speechParalysis of the faceInflammation around the brain (epidural abscess) or in the brainDamage to the part of the ear that helps with balancePermanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases with the number and length of infections.Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if:You or your child has signs of a chronic ear infectionAn ear infection does not respond to treatmentNew symptoms develop during or after treatmentPreventionGetting prompt treatment for an acute ear infection may reduce the risk of developing a chronic ear infection. Have a follow-up examination with the health care provider after an ear infection has been treated to make sure that it is completely cured.ReferencesChole RA, Sudhoff HH. Chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, and petrositis. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, Robbins KT, Thomas JR, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2005:chap 133.Morris PS, Leach AJ. Acute and chronic otitis media. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2009 Dec;56(6):1383-99.
