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Acute mastoiditis is the mastoid process prominent bone in the ear. Acute mastoiditis usually happens when inadequately or untreated acute otitis media spreads from the person’s middle ear into the mastoid process (surrounding bone). Generally, symptoms appear two or more weeks after acute otitis media progresses, as the spreading infection destroys the mastoid process inner part. An abscess can be produced in the bone. The skin, which covers the mastoid process can become tender, swollen, and red, and the external ear is pushed sideways and down. Acute mastoiditis other symptoms include profuse, creamy discharge from the ear, fever, and pain within and around the ear. The pain tends to be throbbing and persistant. Loss of hearing is progressive. CT (computed tomography) may reveal, that the air cells in the mastoid process consists of fluid. As mastoiditis is progressing, the spaces enlarge. Improperly treated mastoiditis may cause brain abscess, deafness, meningitis, or sepsis (blood poisoning) and the condition may be fatal. The treatment of acute mastoiditis, consists of antibiotics administered intravenously. Ear discharge samples are tested to determine the bacteria, resulting in infection. If an abscess appears in the bone, it must be drained surgically.
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