Mastoiditis is a serious infection that affects the mastoid bone located behind the ear. This disease often develops because of untreated middle ear infections and requires prompt medical intervention to avoid complications.

 

In this article, ENT specialists at Magrabi Health explore the causes, symptoms, and surgical treatment of mastoiditis through mastoidectomy.

 

What is mastoiditis?

 

Mastoiditis refers to the spread of an ear infection to the mastoid bone, a part of the temporal bone located directly behind the ear. When the infection spreads to this bone, it inflames the air cells within it. Mastoiditis primarily affects children, though it can also occur in adults.

 

Symptoms of mastoiditis

 

Mastoiditis causes several troublesome symptoms, including:

 

• Pain and redness behind the ear.
• Swelling that may cause the ear to protrude.
• Discharge from the ear.
• Fever and fatigue.
• Hearing loss in the affected ear.
• Headaches.

 

Causes of mastoiditis

 

Mastoiditis usually results from chronic or untreated middle ear infections. As mentioned earlier, the infection spreads from the middle ear to the mastoid bone, causing significant damage if left untreated.

 

Diagnosing mastoiditis at Magrabi Health

 

Doctors perform several physical examinations to confirm the diagnosis and may use imaging tests such as:

• CT scans.
• MRI.

 

What is Mastoidectomy?

 

Mastoidectomy, or mastoid surgery, is a surgical procedure that removes infected or damaged air cells in the mastoid bone.

 

ENT surgeons perform this procedure to eliminate the infection, prevent its spread, and alleviate the patient’s symptoms. They can perform mastoidectomy through various methods depending on the severity of the condition. The main types of mastoidectomy include:

 

1. Simple mastoidectomy

 

During this procedure, the surgeon removes the infected air cells while preserving the ear canal and the structures of the middle ear.

 

2. Canal-wall-up mastoidectomy

 

The surgeon removes larger portions of the bone to access the middle ear while maintaining the ear canal's structure.

 

3. Canal-wall-down mastoidectomy

 

This involves creating an open cavity by removing parts of the ear canal and mastoid bone. This procedure is reserved for severe or recurrent infections.

 

Steps of Mastoidectomy

 

Before the surgery, the doctor advises the patient to avoid certain medications, particularly blood thinners, and to fast starting the night before the procedure.

 

The surgery begins with general anesthesia, and the surgeon follows these steps, with the procedure lasting between 2 to 3 hours:

 

• Making an incision behind the ear.
• Using surgical tools to access and remove the infected air cells.
• Repairing middle ear structures if necessary, such as performing a tympanoplasty to close a perforated eardrum.
• Closing the surgical site with stitches and applying a dressing.

 

Recovery after mastoidectomy

 

Patients may experience mild pain or discomfort after the surgery, which can be managed with prescribed medications.

 

ENT specialists at Magrabi Health offer some recovery tips to ensure a smooth healing process:

 

• Avoiding strenuous physical activities for a few weeks.
• Keeping the surgical site dry and clean.
• Attending all follow-up visits to monitor progress.

 

Benefits and risks of mastoidectomy

 

Mastoidectomy helps treat chronic ear infections and reduces the risk of serious complications such as:

 

• Hearing loss.
• Facial nerve damage.
• Brain abscesses.
• Meningitis.

 

As with any surgery, mastoidectomy carries some potential risks, including:

 

• Temporary changes in taste.
• Dizziness or vertigo.
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
• Weakness or paralysis of the facial nerve.
• Cerebrospinal fluid leaks, which is a rare risk.

 

Recovery after mastoidectomy

 

Full recovery after mastoidectomy typically takes between 6 to 12 weeks, although most patients can resume daily activities within 1 to 2 weeks.

 

Mastoidectomy effectively eliminates infection, prevents its spread, and helps resolve chronic ear issues. However, it requires the expertise of a skilled ENT surgeon.

 

Magrabi Health has a team of highly skilled ENT specialists and consultants who utilize the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies while adhering to globally recognized protocols to ensure the best healthcare services and outcomes.

 

Book an appointment at the nearest Magrabi Health branch for an accurate diagnosis and a successful treatment plan from the best doctors in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.