Mastoiditis is an inflammatory process in the mastoid process. The process is a site for the attachment of muscles responsible for head movement. It is located behind the ear and anatomically represents a growth with a cavity in the middle, which is connected to the middle ear.
Causes
The infection in the process most often penetrates from the middle ear. Therefore, mastoiditis can be considered a complication of middle ear inflammation. Additional routes of infection penetration include trauma to the process itself and suppuration of lymph nodes.
Symptoms of Mastoiditis
Symptoms may depend on the extent of the inflammatory process, the type of infection, and the treatment provided. In the initial stages, when the inflammatory process is only in the mucosa of the process, the symptoms are similar to those of otitis. There are ear pains, an increase in temperature, and discharge from the ear. If appropriate treatment is not provided, painful sensations and redness behind the ear appear, and purulent formations accumulate in the process, filling its entire volume. The facial nerve is located near the process. If the inflammation spreads to this area, external symptoms such as facial asymmetry and inability to close the eyelids may occur. A serious complication can be the penetration of pus into the cranial area, which can lead to a brain abscess.
Diagnosis of Mastoiditis in Israel
To clarify the diagnosis in Israel, a consultation with an otolaryngologist is conducted. Blood tests and X-rays are then performed. X-rays can reveal signs of inflammation in the process and the location of pus rupture.
Treatment of Mastoiditis in Israel
Treatment of this condition in Israel is mainly conducted on an inpatient basis. An important stage of treatment is the use of antibiotics and the creation of pathways for fluid drainage from the site of inflammation through the auditory canal. In the early stages of the disease, conservative treatment may suffice. If treatment does not yield results, surgery is performed – the process is opened, inflamed tissues are removed, and drainage is installed. Subsequently, anti-inflammatory local treatment is conducted. Self-treatment often leads to a chronic course of the disease. To prevent the development of such conditions, early diagnosis of disturbances in the middle ear and appropriate treatment to eliminate infection foci is necessary.