Mastoiditis history and symptoms

Mastoiditis Microchapters
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Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Mastoiditis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
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Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

History and symptoms of mastoiditis ranges from not symptomatic disease to symptomatic and progressive mastoiditis with serious life-threatening complications.

History

Obtaining the history is a very important aspect of making a diagnosis of mastoiditis. It provides insight into cause, precipitating factors and associated comorbid conditions.

History taking should be considering below items:

• Onset, duration and progression of symptoms
• Allergies
• Previous history of acute otitis media
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Associated symptoms(otalgia, fever, confusion)
• Medications, include antibiotic usage in acute otitis media
• Snoring
• Attendance to day care
• History of Trauma
• Co-morbid conditions like diabetes, immunodeficiency
• Smoking: contributes to fluid buildup and blockage in the eustachian tube
• Mother smoking during pregnancy
• Occupations involving exposure to air pollution.
• Social status

Common Symptoms

Lethargy/malaise (96 percent)

Abnormal tympanic membrane (82 percent)

Postauricular erythema, postauricular tenderness, and/or protrusion of the pinna (80 percent)

Fever (76 percent)

Narrowing of the external auditory canal (71 percent)

Ear pain (67 percent)

Otorrhea (50 percent)

Less Common Symptoms[edit | edit source]

• In this section you can list the less common symptoms that the patient may experience.
• For an example of the the less common symptoms section within a history and symptoms

Some common symptoms and signs of mastoiditis include pain and tenderness in the mastoid region, as well as swelling. There may be ear pain (otalgia), and the ear or mastoid region may be red (erythematous). Fever or headaches may also be present. Infants usually show nonspecific symptoms, such as anorexia, diarrhea, or irritability. Drainage from the ear occurs in more serious cases.