Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection of the mastoid bone in the skull, which is located behind the ear. This infection is usually caused by bacteria that have travelled up the Eustachian tube from the middle ear. Symptoms of mastoiditis may include painful swelling and tenderness behind the ear, drainage of pus from the ear, fever and hearing loss. If left untreated, mastoiditis can cause serious complications, including meningitis, facial paralysis and brain abscesses. Treatment typically involves administration of antibiotics to clear the infection, as well as draining pus from the ear and hospitalization to monitor the infection. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent these serious complications and to ensure a complete recovery from mastoiditis.