Mastoiditis is an inflammation due to infection of the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. It can be a serious infection if it spreads outside of the mastoid.
Signs and symptoms of mastoiditis include
- ear pain or pain behind the ear,
- swelling of the areas behind the ear,
- fever,
- tenderness over the mastoid bone,
- fatigue,
- headache, and
- ear discharge (otorrhea) that can include pus.
Other associated symptoms and signs can include redness of the affected area and symptoms of an ear infection, such as a sense of fullness in the ear, and hearing loss.
Cause of mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is most often caused by a middle ear infection (otitis media) that goes untreated, allowing bacterial infection to spread to the mastoid bone.
Other mastoiditis symptoms and signs
- Ear Discharge (Otorrhea) That Can Include Pus
- Ear Pain or Pain Behind the Ear
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Hearing Loss
- Redness of the Affected Area
- Swelling of the Areas Behind the Ear
- Symptoms of an Ear Infection, Such as a Sense of Fullness in the Ear
- Tenderness Over the Mastoid Bone
Main Article on Mastoiditis Symptoms and Signs

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