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is an infection of mastoid process, the portion of the temporal bone of the skull that is behind the ear which contains open, air-containing spaces. It is usually caused by untreated acute otitis media (middle ear infection) and used to be a leading cause of child mortality. With the development of antibiotics, however, mastoiditis has become quite rare in developed countries. It is treated with medications and/or surgery.[1] If untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding structures, including the brain, causing serious complications.
What else can I help you with?
Can you safely travel on an airplane while suffering from mastoiditis?
What is mastoiditis?!Why would you need to know that!
Can mastoiditis cause tinnitus?
Mastoiditis can cause hearing loss which may result in tinnitus.
How can mastoiditis be prevented?
Prevention of mastoiditis involves careful and complete treatment of any middle ear infections.
What causes mastoiditis?
Mastoiditis is caused by the same types of bacteria which cause middle ear infections (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae).
Symptoms of mastoiditis are similar to what other infection?
Symptoms of mastoiditis may at first be the same as symptoms of an early middle ear infection.
What are indicates of mastoiditis?
Mastoiditis is usually suspected when a severe middle ear infection is accompanied by redness, swelling, and pain in the mastoid area.
What is a simple case of mastoiditis?
In a simple case of mastoiditis some fluid escapes into the mastoid air cells during a middle ear infection.
Mastoiditis can occur when an infection in what area of the ear is left untreated?
Mastoiditis may occur due to the progression of an untreated, or undertreated, middle ear infection.
Can otitis media infection spread to the mastoid spaces?
Otitis Media or middle ear infection can cause Mastoiditis or bacterial infection of the mastoid bone. If Otitis Media is untreated and recurrent, this can cause Mastoiditis. Mastoiditis typically affects children moreso than adults.
Can you die from mastoiditis?
While mastoiditis is a serious condition that can lead to complications if left untreated, such as meningitis or a brain abscess, it is usually not fatal with prompt medical treatment. Antibiotics are typically used to treat mastoiditis, and in some cases, surgery may be necessary. If you suspect you have mastoiditis, seek medical attention promptly.
What is a complex case of mastoiditis?
In complex mastoiditis, the infection penetrates through to the lining of the mastoid bone, resulting in a very severe and destructive infection of the mastoid bone itself.
Why is it important to identify a case of mastoiditis early?
With early identification of mastoiditis, the prognosis is very good. When symptoms are not caught early enough, however, a number of complications can occur.
