What are the treatments for the disease?

Treatment for acute mastoiditis includes the insertion of an ear tube through the eardrum to allow drainage of infected fluid. A cut can also be made in the eardrum for the same purpose. Antibiotics to treat the infection are also part of treatment. If the infection has reached the stage where bone is being destroyed, surgery may be needed to remove part of the mastoid bone.

The first step in treating chronic mastoiditis is oral or topical antibiotics. If this does not clear up the problem, surgery is needed to remove the diseased part of the mastoid and repair the eardrum. If an ear cyst exists, the cyst is removed and the eardrum repaired. If there has been damage to the bones of the middle ear, this will be repaired as well.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Placement of the drainage tubes can result in complications such as long-lasting holes in the eardrum, ear drainage, and rarely, deafness. Side effects from surgery to remove the mastoid can include damage to nearby structures such as:

What happens after treatment for the disease?

Most cases of acute mastoiditis clear up once the ear tube is inserted and antibiotics are started. The tube is left in until it falls out by itself, usually within 6 to 12 months.

If surgery for chronic mastoiditis is successful, the hole in the eardrum will heal closed. The person's hearing will improve, though it may not return to normal in some cases. The ear will stop draining.

How is the disease monitored?

An new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.