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Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone of the skull. The mastoid bone is located just behind the ear.

Images

Mastoiditis - side view of head
Mastoiditis - redness and swelling behind ear

Presentation

Mastoidectomy - series - Normal anatomy

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Causes

Mastoiditis is most often caused by a middle ear infection (acute otitis media). The infection may spread from the ear to the mastoid bone. This bone has a honeycomb-like structure that fills with infected material and may break down.

The condition is most common in children. Before antibiotics, mastoiditis was one of the leading causes of death in children. The condition does not occur very often today. It is also much less dangerous.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

An exam of the head may reveal signs of mastoiditis. The following tests may show an abnormality of the mastoid bone:

A culture of drainage from the ear may show bacteria.

Treatment

Mastoiditis may be hard to treat because the medicine may not reach deeply into the bone. The condition sometimes requires repeated or long-term treatment. The infection is treated with antibiotic injections, followed by antibiotics taken by mouth.

Surgery to remove part of the bone and drain the mastoid (mastoidectomy) may be needed if antibiotic treatment does not work. Surgery to drain the middle ear through the eardrum (myringotomy) may be needed to treat the middle ear infection.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Mastoiditis can be cured. However, it may be hard to treat and may come back.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of mastoiditis.

Also call if:

Prevention

Prompt and thorough treatment of ear infections reduces the risk for mastoiditis.

Related Information

Ear infection - acute
Hearing loss
Facial paralysis
Meningitis
Epidural abscess

References

Matlock AG, Pfaff JA. Otolaryngology. Matlock AG, In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 58.

Pelton SI. Otitis externa, otitis media, and mastoiditis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 61.

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Review Date: 5/2/2024  

Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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