Diagnosis of acute mastoiditis in children

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Le Thanh Cam - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Acute mastoiditis in children can be diagnosed based on a number of clinical symptoms such as fever (high or low fever) accompanied by fatigue, restlessness, fussiness, and poor eating. However, in order to make a more accurate diagnosis, besides the above symptoms, the doctor will use subclinical diagnostic methods such as otoscopy, microscopy, Schuller X-ray, CT scan of the temporal bone. ,...

1. What is acute mastoid otitis?

Acute mastoid otitis media is an inflammation of the bony tissue surrounding the striatum. The main cause of acute mastoiditis in children is due to improper treatment of otitis media as well as untimely puncture of the tympanic membrane, or it may be due to a hole that cannot drain pus and when washing the ear. , the water pump is too strong.
In addition, some other causes of disease that make the body's resistance weak or highly toxic bacteria, mastoid bone structure many cells, people with weak terrain can also cause mastoiditis. acute.
Acute mastoid otitis can cause bacteremia complications, because the bacteria are highly virulent, children with poor resistance make the body uncontrolled, leading to bacteremia, which is very dangerous for people. sick. If not diagnosed and treated early, the risk of death is very high. In addition, the disease can cause some other dangerous complications such as:
Hearing loss: The cause of hearing loss is caused by inflammation of the labyrinth. If not treated promptly and properly, it can cause deafness; Cranial nerve palsy: Cranial nerves VI or VII may be paralyzed due to acute mastoid otitis; In addition to the above complications, because the position of the mastoid bone is close to the blood vessels, brain, and meninges, it causes very dangerous complications such as: Meningeal abscess, meningitis, brain abscess....

2. Diagnosis of acute mastoiditis in young children

Acute mastoiditis in children can be diagnosed based on a number of clinical symptoms such as fever (high or low fever) accompanied by fatigue, restlessness, fussiness, and poor eating.
Besides, some other symptoms such as purulent ear discharge; hearing loss; Children with ear pain and swelling, inflammation and redness behind the ear, pushing the earlobe forward as well as having a bulge behind the ear. At the same time, doctors can also diagnose acute mastoiditis in children based on physical symptoms such as red, swollen eardrums, and cow's breast image.
However, for a more accurate diagnosis, besides the above symptoms, the doctor will use the following subclinical diagnostic methods:
Microscopic otoscopy to determine middle ear inflammation ; X-ray Schuller: Thickness of the septum is not clear + there is space for hollow spaces due to the loss of the septum between the septum; CT scan of the temporal bone; CBC .

3. Treatment of acute mastoid otitis in children

In principle, the treatment of acute mastoiditis in children requires medical treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and high-dose analgesics right from the time the disease is properly diagnosed. At the same time, timely surgery is required if a pus pocket has formed, or the bone lesions are severe, and when systemic symptoms as well as function persist.
The treatment of acute mastoiditis in children according to specific medical methods is as follows:
Use strong and broad-spectrum antibiotics such as 2nd and 3rd generation Cephalosporins. Steroid anti-inflammatory: can be used for 3 days by injection. The first -5 days, then take the oral form and reduce the dose gradually. Use Paracetamol pain reliever and fever reducer according to the dose of the child's weight. The treatment of acute mastoid otitis in children according to specific surgical methods is as follows:
The main surgical treatment is to open the cyst to drain pus, at the same time to clean the inflamed tissue to the middle ear and cells. cymbals are common. Acute mastoiditis in children needs timely detection and treatment to prevent possible complications. Besides, the prevention of acute mastoid otitis in children is also very important. The best prevention method is not to let the ear get otitis media, treat respiratory infections promptly, fully vaccinated and avoid contact with people who are infected with infectious diseases.
In the case of children with otitis media, they need to be treated definitively and monitored by specialists and especially not weaning the baby too early, before 12 months of age as well as giving the child solid foods to eat and drink. enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Children in the period from 6 months to 3 years old are very susceptible to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections... parents need to pay special attention to the care and provision of adequate nutrition for children. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: Including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors, Master's degree), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. Besides domestic pediatricians, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to play comfortably and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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