The symptoms of mastoiditis typically include:

What are the symptoms of mastoiditis in adults?

The symptoms of mastoiditis typically include:

• redness, tenderness and pain behind the ear.
• swelling behind the ear that can cause it to stick out.
• discharge from the ear.
• a high temperature, irritability and tiredness.
• headache.
• hearing loss in the affected ear.

How common is mastoiditis in adults?

The condition is rare and can be life threatening without treatment. Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling behind the ear, pus from the ear, throbbing pain, and difficulty hearing. Usually , the cause is an untreated or antibiotic-resistant ear infection.

How serious is mastoiditis in adults?

If left untreated, mastoiditis can cause serious, even life-threatening, health complications, including hearing loss, blood clot, meningitis, or a brain abscess. But with early and appropriate antibiotic treatment and drainage, these complications can usually be avoided and you can recover completely.

What can mimic mastoiditis?

Local cellulitis of the scalp or preauricular tissues, or insect bites. Isolated inflammation or infection of the skin and scalp tissues behind the ear can mimic some signs of acute mastoiditis.

Can you have mastoiditis without fever?

Chronic mastoiditis can also occur after an infection, but typically does not cause severe pain and fever. With chronic mastoiditis, recurrent ear infections or ear drainage often occurs.

Does mastoiditis cause neck pain?

Mastoid infection may spread into the neck causing marked swelling on the side of the neck along with fever and exquisite tenderness. Infection in the neck left untreated can impair breathing and spread into the chest.

How do you rule out mastoiditis?

CT scanning of the temporal bone is the standard for evaluation of mastoiditis, with published sensitivities ranging from 87-100%. Some argue that all suspected cases of mastoiditis warrant CT scan evaluation.

Can I have mastoiditis without fever?