Mastoiditis Flashcards
how do patients with mastoiditis present?
post-auricular area is swollen, erythematous and would be tender to palpate
ear pushed forward as a result
(rare complication of otitis media)
how does otitis media lead to mastoiditis?
otitis media –> mastoid air cells –> mastoiditis
from mastoid air cells: infection can potentially enter cranial cavity through SUPERIOR WALL to reach MENINGES (cause meningitis) and /or temporal lobe of brain causing TEMPORAL LOBE ABSCESS
how would child present if infection has spread intracranially?
if the child is drowsy
e.g. meningitis secondary to mastoiditis
how else can the infection from otitis media to mastoid air cells spread?
erode POSTERIORLY into posterior cranial fossa
sigmoid dural venous sinus lies within posterior cranial fossa
can lead to thrombosis, or portal system for entry of bacteria into bloodstream
