Mastoiditis
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 refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further examination and tests.
This usually includes a blood test and an ear culture (where discharge from the ear is tested for a bacterial infection).
Some children may need to have a CT scan , which uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the skull.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
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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