Acute mastodititis

To diagnose mastoiditis, a doctor needs to perform an examination and ask questions about the symptoms. They check for symptoms and signs such as a fever, pain, fluid draining from the ear, and discolored, swollen skin.

They also ask about risk factors, such as previous surgeries or diseases of the ear. In young children, mastoiditis may be more obvious and easier to diagnose.

TypicallyTrusted Source, the doctor needs further tests to confirm a diagnosis. These include:

Blood tests: A doctor may order a complete blood count, as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein tests.

A CT scan: This imaging test may be necessary to show the extent of the infection, any complications in the skull, the effect on the mastoid bone, the amount of fluid in the middle ear, and whether there is an abscess.

Antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment for both acute and chronic mastoiditis.

If you or your child is diagnosed with acute mastoiditis, you may be put in the hospital to receive treatment and care by an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat disorders. Antibiotics will be given through an IV (intravenous line) to treat the infection.

Surgery may also be needed to drain the fluid from the middle ear, called a myringotomy. During a myringotomy, the doctor makes a small hole in the eardrum to drain the fluid and relieve pressure from the middle ear. A small tube may be inserted into the middle ear to keep the hole from closing so as to allow for continued drainage. Typically, the tube will fall out on its own after six to 12 months.

If the symptoms don’t quickly improve on IV antibiotics, or complications, like an abscess or bone erosion are present, surgery to remove the infected mastoid bone may be recommended. This is called a mastoidectomy.

Chronic mastoiditis is treated with oral antibiotics, eardrops, and regular ear cleanings by a doctor. If these treatments do not work, surgery may be necessary to prevent further complications.

If left untreated, mastoiditis can cause serious, even life-threatening, health complications, including hearing loss, blood clot, meningitis, or a brain abscess. But with early and appropriate antibiotic treatment and drainage, these complications can usually be avoided and you can recover completely.

If you have an earache, discharge or trouble hearing, see your doctor. They will decide if you need antibiotics to help prevent mastoiditis and other serious health complications.