MASTOIDITE

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

MASTOIDITE - acute purulent inflammation of the cells of the mastoid process of the temporal bone. More often there is a complication of acute purulent otitis media in persons with a lower overall resistance of the organism. An important role is played by the delay in the outflow of exudate from the middle ear cavity. A characteristic feature of the beginning of mastoiditis is the intensification of pain in the region of the mastoid process 3-4 weeks after the onset of acute middle purulent otitis. The pains often have a spontaneous nature, often disturb the patients at night, intensify with pressure on the mastoid process.

An important sign of mastoiditis is the narrowing of the external auditory canal, caused by the lowering of the posterior walls of the bone in its bone part, as well as the swelling of the outer covers in the region of the mastoid process due to periostitis. In far-reaching cases, a subperiosteal abscess is formed. The tympanic membrane is hyperemic, infiltrated.

Patients complain of headache, insomnia, loss of appetite. The temperature rises to 38-39 ° C, but can remain subfebrile. Detachable from the ear becomes thick, gets purulent in nature, the amount of it increases.

Differential diagnosis is sometimes carried out with a furuncle of the external auditory canal, in which marked soreness is observed when touching the tragus and pulling the auricle, edema of the affected area and an increase in regional lymph nodes.

Treatment in the initial stages is the same as with acute otitis media. Apply dry heat, solux, UHF-therapy. In the ear bury boric alcohol. Assign sulfonamides, antibiotics in doses corresponding to the age of the patient. Ineffective conservative treatment shows mastoidectomy - dissection of festering cells of the mastoid process and removal of pathologically altered bone. If untimely treatment is possible intracerebral complications, sepsis , paralysis of the facial nerve.