Mastoiditis
Definition
Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone of the skull. The mastoid is located just behind the outside ear.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Mastoiditis is usually caused by a middle ear infection (acute otitis media). The infection may spread from the ear to the mastoid bone of the skull. The mastoid bone fills with infected materials and its honeycomb-like structure may deteriorate. Mastoiditis usually affects children. Before antibiotics, mastoiditis was one of the leading causes of death in children. Now it is a relatively uncommon and much less dangerous condition.
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