| The goal of treatment for mastoiditis is to clear the middle ear, mastoid cells, and mastoid bone of infection before permanent damage occurs or serious intracranial complications arise. Because of the high incidence of intracranial complications in individuals with acute mastoiditis, prompt admission to the hospital is usually required to administer intravenous antibiotic therapy and perform surgical drainage of the infection through an incision (myringotomy) in the eardrum (tympanic membrane) or mastoidectomy, depending on the extent of disease.
When persistent purulent discharge is found despite antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage, chronic mastoiditis should be suspected. Chronic mastoiditis requires urgent surgical intervention involving drainage and evacuation of the infection and removal of the mastoid process (mastoidectomy). The extent of surgery required depends on the extent of destruction caused by the infection. Surgery is followed by a prolonged course of antibiotic therapy, 4 to 6 weeks or longer.
When the infection is completely resolved, surgery (myringoplasty or tympanoplasty) is usually required to repair any residual perforation in the eardrum. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor