Inflammation of the mastoid bone behind the ear
Causes
- Usually a complication of suppurative otitis media
Clinical features
- Severe pain felt over the mastoid bone
- Swelling in post auricular area (pinna is pushed down and
forward) - Current or history of pus discharge from the ear
- Fever
- Mental confusion is a grave sign of intracranial spread of
infection (Refer to ENT surgeon immediately)
Differential diagnosis
- Inflamed lymph node behind ear
Investigations
- Diagnosis mainly by clinical features
- X-ray: Useful in chronic mastoiditis
- Blood: Full blood count, shows leucocytosis
- Examine ear with otoscope
MANAGEMENT
- Admit urgently; give emergency treatment
- Ceftriaxone 2-4 g by IV or deep IM once daily for 10-14 days
Child: 50-80 mg/kg once daily- Divide IM doses over 1 g between 2 sites
- Plus metronidazole 400 mg every 8 hours for 10-14 days
Child: 7.5 mg/kg per dose - Surgical drainage may be necessary to remove pus
if an abscess has formed
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- Refer urgently for specialist care