Synonyms in a broader sense
mastoiditis, mastoiditis, ear, otitis media
Definiton Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is a purulent inflammation of the bony cells of the mastoid process, which are pneumatized, i.e. filled with air. These cells are connected to the tympanic cavity (Cavum tympani = part of the middle ear), which contains the ossicles.
CauseEstablishment
Mastoiditis is a complication of an acute inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) that has not completely healed. The reasons for the lack of healing are as follows: This complication of acute otitis media has become rare because antibiotic therapy is available and the determination of an antibiogram to identify the pathogen and its resistance status (testing the effectiveness of various bacteria-killing drugs (antibiotics)) allows the selection of the optimal medication.
- Difficult drainage of wound water from the ear
- Choosing the wrong antibiotic (wrong therapy) for otitis media
- Very aggressive (virulent) pathogens or
- Poor defensive position of the patient
- Outer ear
- Eardrum
- Organ of equilibrium
- Auditory nerve (acoustic nerve)
- Tube
- Mastoid process (mastoid)
The pathogens of mastoiditis are always bacteria.
The most common are pneumococci, but also Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes scarlet fever, or Haemophilus influenzae. Besides these common germs, a wide spectrum of other bacterial strains can be found as pathogens. Although mastoiditis is always caused by bacteria, it can also occur as a result of a viral inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media). In this case a so-called superinfection occurs. In this case, bacteria settle in the mucous membrane of the middle ear attacked by the viruses, spread strongly and finally penetrate into the mastoid cavities.
Is mastoiditis contagious?
Mastoiditis is caused by germs of a bacterial nature, which as such are in principle contagious. However, the inflammation is not limited to the mastoid, but is usually the result of an inflammation of the middle ear, which in turn is usually caused by an inflammatory process rising from the nasopharynx. This can be diseases like colds or pharyngitis.
Since the mastoid cavities form a closed space to the outside, a direct infection with the actual mastoiditis is almost impossible. However, the causative infectious disease, which was also the trigger for middle ear inflammation and mastoiditis, can very well spread to another person. However, this does not mean that the infected person will also suffer from middle ear infection or mastoiditis in the further course of the disease. Normally, the affected person only suffers the usual form of the original infectious disease, in the course of which a new otitis media with subsequent mastoiditis can naturally occur.
