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- The spread of a Middle Ear Infection
(otitis media) to the honeycombed bone of the skull behind the ear(mastoid bone) is called mastoiditis.
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- Pain and redness behind the ear
- Fever
- Headaches
- Drainage of thick, foul material from the ear
- Partial or complete hearing loss
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- The cause is often bacterial, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae.
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- Exam and history by the physician
- X-ray or CAT scan of the ear or the skull
- Sending the drainage material to a laboratory for identification of the causing the infection
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- A poorly treated Middle Ear Infection
- Children exposed to smoking
- Children who are not breastfed.
- Individuals with weak body defenses due to such diseases as AIDS or cancer
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- Intravenous and oral antibiotics, once the bacterial type is identified
- Painkillers
- Tylenol for fever
- If complications occur and there is no response to antibiotics:
- Surgery to drain the Middle Ear Infection
- Surgery to remove all or part of the infected mastoid bone
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- Because the mastoid sinus is close to many important structures in the skull, several dangerous complications can occur with mastoiditis. However, all of these are rare, however, if the disease is adequately treated. Some examples include:
- Damage to the nerves affecting the muscles of the face
- Damage to neck and scalp tissues
- Spread of infection to the brain
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If you or your child are developing any of the above symptoms, or have a Middle Ear Infection that is not improving with treatment, call your physician immediately.
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