Mastoid. Where is it located, what is it, photos behind the ears, types of structure, CT inflammation, fracture, cholesteatoma, cell sclerosis

The defeat of the mastoid process occurs against the background of various diseases or as a result of mechanical action on the temporal bone. He located behind the ear, provides multiple cavities and connects to the middle ear region.

If any disturbances or painful sensations appear, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist to establish the cause of the discomfort. Lack of timely medical care will lead to serious consequences.

What are mastoid processes?

The mastoid process of the temporal bone has a rough surface on the outside. The element is conical in shape, its upper part is directed downward. The base of the appendix is ​​located on the border with the dura mater of the brain.

Its inflammation or fracture is dangerous for a person, since any pathological processes in this area can negatively affect the most important organ of the human body - the brain.

Where are they located?

The mastoid is the temporal bone that lies behind the ear in the area of ​​the auditory tube. It is associated with the middle ear. In most cases, the mastoid process becomes inflamed as a result of an infection. The disease is called mastoiditis.

Timely diagnosis and treatment under the supervision of an otolaryngologist will help prevent serious consequences.

The structure of the mastoid process

The mastoid process consists of numerous cells that are filled with air and are separated by thin septa. The largest hole is called the mastoid cave. It connects to the tympanic cavity.

There are several types of mastoid cells:

Name	Description
Zygomatic	The cells are located next to the cavity of the bone notch. This is the area of ​​the upper posterior wall of the ear canal. A deeper layer of the zygomatic cells passes between the sinus and the nerve canal.
Sinus	The venous sinus, which is located behind the mastoid process. Some zones pass along its surface or under the cortical layer.
Perifacial cells	The cavities are located near the mastoid process and the canal of the facial nerve. With the development of the inflammatory process, all areas are affected.

All cells are important and with the deepening of the inflammatory process, as their larger area is affected, the likelihood of developing mastoiditis increases. More often, the pathology is a secondary disease and occurs against the background of an acute inflammatory process in the ear area.

Types of processes

Given the structure of the mastoid process, the following types of it are distinguished in medicine:

Name	Description
Diploetic	The structure is provided by the accumulation of small cavities that contain the bone marrow.
Pneumatic	A distinctive feature is the large cells that contain air.
Sclerotic	The structure of the appendix is ​​represented by a weakly expressed structure, which includes cells of various sizes.

The pneumatic mastoid process is more prone to the development of the inflammatory process.

Diseases and injuries of the temporal bone behind the ears

Diseases and injuries of the mastoid process provoke various factors. Pathological processes are accompanied by characteristic signs, with which it is important to go to the hospital in a timely manner. An otolaryngologist is responsible for diagnostics and treatment. The specialist prescribes a comprehensive examination, based on the results of which he draws up the most effective treatment regimen.

Inflammation

The mastoid process is located behind the ear and connects to its canals, so the slightest inflammatory process can trigger a serious pathological mechanism. We are talking about mastoiditis. The main cause of the disease is an infectious lesion (Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Pathology is dangerous to human life, since there is a high probability of damage to the meninges.

Causes	Symptoms
damage to the tympanic membrane; head injury; syphilis, tuberculosis; damage to internal organs; avitaminosis; hearing diseases; weak immunity; damage to the mastoid process.	body temperature rises; general weakness appears; headache worried; lumbago, noises appear in the ears; hearing deteriorates; sleep is disturbed.

Mastoiditis develops in stages, each of which is accompanied by characteristic clinical symptoms:

1. Exudative. The causative agents of the inflammatory process are pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate the mastoid region through the middle ear. A large amount of exudate accumulates, which closes the cells and disrupts the movement of air.
2. Polyiferative. The stage of the disease at which a purulent inflammatory process affects the mastoid process, contributing to its destruction. As the pathological processes progress, the partitions disintegrate, and a single cavity filled with pus is formed.

Without timely and properly selected therapy, inflammation entails serious complications that are more difficult to cope with. Hearing is impaired, an abscess develops, meningitis, or the facial nerve is damaged.

Cell sclerosis

Chronic inflammation of the middle ear provokes cellular sclerosis.

Their transparency decreases, the partitions between them collapse.

Causes	Symptoms
acute otitis media; damage to the upper respiratory tract; scarlet fever, measles; sclerotic type of mastoid process; weak immunity; infectious, viral diseases.	hearing is impaired; acute painful sensations appear; there is a feeling of fullness against the background of increased pressure in the middle ear; an unpleasant odor is released from the auricle; dizzy.

Untimely and or incorrectly selected therapy for the inflammatory process in the middle ear also provokes sclerosis of the cells of the mastoid process. Self-treatment is unacceptable, since there is a high probability of the spread of a purulent inflammatory process to the intracranial region.

Cholesteatoma

The disease is characterized by the formation of a benign tumor in the middle ear cavity. The neoplasm looks like a capsule with a layered structure.

Causes	Symptoms
inflammatory process in the ear area; injury and damage; inflammation of the paranasal sinuses; chronic otitis media; long stay in a draft; acute purulent otitis media; stenosis and atresia of the ear canal.	pain in the ear; dizziness; a feeling of fullness and pressure in the ear; cheesy discharge with an unpleasant odor; headache; hearing impairment.

Timely comprehensive examination will allow you to choose the most effective treatment and prevent possible complications.

Fracture

The mastoid process is located in the area of ​​the temporal bone, damage to which occurs as a result of various factors. The pathological condition radically affects a person's life, even in the case of correct and timely therapy, the likelihood of complications is high.

Causes	Symptoms
strong influence of external force (gunshot wound); injuries, falls; direct blows.	bleeding from the ear; the appearance of a hematoma, bruise; severe hemorrhage under the skin; discharge from the ear of cerebrospinal cerebral fluid; partial or complete paralysis of the muscles of the face; hearing is impaired; the functioning of the vestibular apparatus worsens; dizziness, convulsions, nausea.

There are the following types of mastoid fracture:

Name	Description
Transverse	It is the result of a strong blow to the temple or occiput. The fracture affects the entire structure of the temporal bone.
Longitudinal	It occurs as a result of direct mechanical action on the parietal or occipital region. Violation of the integrity of the temporal bone occurs in the area of ​​the auditory tube, tympanic cavity and external ear.
Atypical	Thin areas of the mastoid process are damaged. There is a high likelihood of microscopic cracks and damage to brain tissue.

The victim will need first aid and urgent treatment. Otherwise, a person will face serious complications (abscess, meningitis, otitis media in combination with mastoiditis).

Common complications

The mastoid process is located in such a place that without timely therapy inflammation or damage, the likelihood of serious complications is high:

Name	Description
Maze	The disease occurs if the inflammatory process spreads to the cavity of the middle and inner ear. Pathological processes provoke noise and hearing loss. Coordination of movements is also impaired.
Meningitis	The mastoid process is located next to the dura mater of the brain. The spread of infection can lead to an inflammatory process in this area.
Blood clots	The pathological condition develops as a result of damage to the inflammatory process of the blood vessels. The blood circulation process is disturbed. There is a high probability of not only the formation of blood clots, but also a blockage of blood vessels, against the background of which a fatal outcome occurs.
Facial nerve damage	The mastoid is located next to the nerve fibers behind the ears.

A complication of damage to the mastoid process can also be brain damage, the development of encephalitis. The spread of pathogenic microorganisms throughout the human body through the blood leads to the appearance of sepsis. It is important to go to the hospital in a timely manner, undergo examination and treatment in order to prevent serious consequences.

Diagnostic methods

The diagnosis of damage to the mastoid process and treatment is carried out by an otolaryngologist. The specialist will conduct an examination and prescribe the most informative examination. The results obtained will help you choose an effective treatment regimen.

Comprehensive diagnostics includes the following tests:

Name	Description
X-ray	The most informative method of examination, with the help of which the specialist identifies lesions.
Computed tomography (CT)	An informative diagnostic method that allows you to determine the intensity of pathological processes and the degree of degenerative changes.
General and biochemical blood test	The research results will show changes in blood cell parameters and other indicators.
General urine analysis	Tests allow you to determine the general condition of the human body and suspect an inflammatory process.

Differential diagnosis is necessary, since many pathological processes are accompanied by similar clinical symptoms (furuncle of the outer ear, otitis media, frontal sinusitis). The treatment that the doctor chooses for the patient depends on the results obtained.

Treatment

The mastoid process consists of cells, the inflammation of which provokes pathological changes in the structure of bone tissue. The otolaryngologist will tell you where this part of the temporal bone is located and how it is treated.

The patient is hospitalized in serious situations when specialist supervision is necessary and the likelihood of surgery is high. In some situations, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis. The doctor prescribes medications and a therapy regimen.

Medication method

Medicines should be taken strictly according to dosages selected by a specialist or by carefully studying the instructions for use. The drugs cause side effects, so it's important to stick to your doctor's prescriptions.

Drug group	Name	Application
Antibacterial agents	Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone	The adult dosage is 500 mg once a day with or after meals. The course of treatment lasts 3 days.
Hormonal drugs	Prednisolone, Dexamethasone	The medicine is taken orally once a day, preferably in the morning. The average adult dosage depends on the patient's condition and is 5-60 mg per day. The course of treatment lasts 1-4 weeks.
Antihistamines	Suprastin, Claritin	Adults are prescribed 1 tablet 3-4 times a day. The medicine is recommended to be taken after meals with plenty of water.

In addition, for patients with damage to the mastoid process, the doctor prescribes vitamin complexes that increase the body's defenses and its resistance to the inflammatory process.

Non-drug methods

If damage to the mastoid process is detected at the early stages of pathological processes, patients are also prescribed in complex therapy non-drug treatments:

Name	Description
UHF therapy	The treatment uses a high frequency electromagnetic field. UHF therapy helps with fresh fractures and acute inflammatory processes.
Microwave therapy	Microwave therapy, which involves the impact on the human body of electromagnetic waves of various lengths. The sessions have a positive effect on peripheral blood vessels, reducing their tone. Blood circulation improves, metabolic processes are activated.

Additionally, it is recommended to use compresses on the behind-the-ear area, but only in the absence of contraindications and complications after consultation with your doctor. These can be warming or cold lotions.

Surgery

The mastoid process is located behind the ear, where the vital nerves, organs of hearing and balance, and the carotid artery are located. Surgical intervention for patients is indicated in emergency situations or due to the lack of a positive result after drug therapy.

There are also other reasons that require urgent surgical treatment:

• development of the labyrinth;
• the appearance of intracranial complications;
• the occurrence of an abscess;
• otogenic paresis.

Surgery is necessary to remove accumulated pus in the mastoid process and drain the tympanic cavity. After the procedure, the patient is prescribed medication to prevent serious complications (changes in hearing, inflammation of the meninges, loss of taste, damage to the facial nerve).

Folk remedies

Recipes of healers and healers can be used in the complex treatment of inflammation of the mastoid process, but strictly after consulting a doctor. Many of the components used can provoke an allergic reaction or individual sensitivity. A specialist will help you choose the most effective recipe, taking into account the provoking sources of the disease.

Name	Recipe	Application
Carnation	Dry plant flowers (5 tsp) pour sesame oil (1 tbsp.). Put the resulting mass on medium heat and cook for 10 minutes. Cool the liquid to room temperature and drain well.	It is recommended to drip the finished tincture into the sore ear, 3 drops 3 times a day.
Celandine	Chop fresh stems of the plant and squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.	The resulting nectar is used to lubricate the behind-the-ear region 2-3 times a day. Treatment is carried out until the redness and swelling disappear completely.
Sagebrush	Pour 1 tbsp. chopped herbs with boiling water (1 tbsp.). Leave the mixture for 60 minutes and strain.	The finished tincture is recommended to be consumed orally, 100 ml 3 times a day.
Calendula	Pour the flowers of the plant (150 g) with hot water (0.5 tbsp.). Insist 1 hour and strain well.	The resulting broth is recommended to be used for compresses on the inflamed area.
Eucalyptus	Grind 100 g of plant leaves. Add 600 ml of vodka. It is recommended to infuse the resulting mixture in a closed glass container for 30 days. Shake the jar periodically.	The strained tincture is used for compress and is taken orally 20 ml 3 times a day.

An infectious lesion of the body requires an increase in defenses. Therefore, with mastoiditis, it is also recommended to ingest propolis, ginger, drink vitamin decoctions, teas.

The location of the mastoid process in the region of the brain is dangerous with serious complications if the person has not been provided with timely medical care. Diseases or fractures require a comprehensive examination, according to the results of which the otolaryngologist selects therapy.

Mastoid video

Topography of the mastoid area: