Mastoiditis pathophysiology

Mastoiditis Microchapters
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Overview
Historical Perspective
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Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Mastoiditis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Pathophysiology

• Because of the relation pass between the middle ear and mastoid air cells, bacteria may be transmitted to the mastoid air cells The inflammation and fluid and bacteria accumulation in mastoid cavities can cause periosteitis and then mastoid bony structure destruction.

• The bacteria most commonly observed to cause mastoiditis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram-negative bacilli. Other bacteria include Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and rarely, Mycobacterium species. Some mastoiditis is caused by cholesteatoma, which is a sac of keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear that usually results from repeated middle-ear infections. If left untreated, the cholesteatoma can erode into the mastoid process, producing mastoiditis, as well as other complications.