mastoiditis
Behind-ear bone infection
Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone, the prominent bump you can feel behind your ear.
It typically develops when a middle ear infection spreads into the honeycomb-like air cells of this bone.
Before antibiotics, mastoiditis was a leading cause of death in children; today it's relatively rare but still serious, potentially requiring surgery if antibiotics don't resolve it.
Symptoms include ear pain, fever, swelling behind the ear, and the ear being pushed forward.
Bodily or emotional distress
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- rednessCrimson-hued state
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- feverElevated body temperature
headache · ear discharge · protrusion · warmth · malaise · irritability · lethargy · hearing loss
Reduced ability to perceive sound
- facial paralysisLoss of face movement
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
- labyrinthitisInner ear canal swelling
- vertigoSensation of spinning
Sound-conducting body chamber
- eustachian tubeEar-to-pharynx drainage channel
- bacterialOf or from germs
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
- pneumococcusBacteria causing lung infection
pseudomonas · acute · chronic · recurrent · complication · spread · abscess · cellulitis
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- intravenousInto the vein
- vancomycinGlycopeptide antibiotic for resistant infections
- ciprofloxacinFluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent
- drainageLiquid removal system
hospitalization · surgery · cortical · radical · debridement · irrigation
Gas exchange chambers
- middle earSound-conducting body chamber
- tympanumSound-receiving ear membrane
- auditory canalPassage conveying sound inward
- eardrumInner auditory membrane
Ear canal inspection procedure
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- cultureCollective social practices
- audiometryEvaluation of hearing ability
blood tests · white cell count · otolaryngologist · ENT specialist · physical examination · imaging · biopsy
pain
Bodily or emotional distress
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- rednessCrimson-hued state
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
fever · headache · ear discharge · protrusion · warmth · malaise · irritability · lethargy · hearing loss · tinnitus
hearing loss
Reduced ability to perceive sound
- facial paralysisLoss of face movement
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
- labyrinthitisInner ear canal swelling
middle ear
Sound-conducting body chamber
- eustachian tubeEar-to-pharynx drainage channel
- bacterialOf or from germs
- streptococcusSpherical bacteria in chains
pneumococcus · pseudomonas · acute · chronic · recurrent · complication · spread · abscess · cellulitis · osteomyelitis
antibiotics
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- intravenousInto the vein
- vancomycinGlycopeptide antibiotic for resistant infections
- ciprofloxacinFluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent
drainage · hospitalization · surgery · cortical · radical · debridement · irrigation
air cells
Gas exchange chambers
- middle earSound-conducting body chamber
- tympanumSound-receiving ear membrane
- auditory canalPassage conveying sound inward
otoscopy
Ear canal inspection procedure
audiometry · blood tests · white cell count · otolaryngologist · ENT specialist · physical examination · imaging · biopsy
mastoiditisswimmer's ear
Outer ear canal infection
outer ear infection · inner ear infection · ear canal infection · labyrinthitis