Table of Contents
What does opacification of the mastoid mean?
Opacification of the middle ear and mastoid represents a spectrum of inflammatory, neoplastic, vascular, fibro-osseous, and traumatic changes. This article reviews the most important clinical and pathological characteristics, emphasizing CT and MRI findings.
Can mastoiditis be cancerous?
Malignant tumours of the mastoid are rare, the majority being squamous cell carcinomas. We report two cases whose clinical presentation mimicked mastoid abscess with intracranial complications.
What causes fluid in mastoid air cells?
Ear infections or disease in the ear or elsewhere can cause those spaces to fill with fluid, mucus or excess tissue (such as a cholesteatoma, a benign tumor that may grow out of a healing perforated ear drum and cause hearing damage).
What causes mastoid opacification?
Mastoid air cell opacification can occur in a number of situations and can include a spectrum of inflammatory, neoplastic, vascular, fibro-osseous, and traumatic changes.
How quickly does mastoiditis develop?
Mastoiditis can begin after symptoms of an ear infection seem to have cleared up. It may also appear as a progressively worsening ear infection. When a person develops new symptoms within a few weeks of an ear infection, a doctor may assess them to see if they have mastoiditis.
Is fluid in mastoid air cells normal?
In conclusion, fluid signal in the mastoid seems to be a frequent incidental finding in asymptomatic patients. A diagnosis of mastoiditis should only be made if there are distinct clinical findings.
What causes fluid in mastoid cells?
Fluid filled or opacified mastoid air cells could be the result of past ear infection or sinusitis . Trauma to the skull like fractures or even craniotomy can also cause opacified mastoid air cells due to effusion of fluid from the mastoid cells.
What are mastoid air cells?
Mastoid cells, sometimes called mastoid air cells, refer to the air pockets formed by the honeycomb-shaped bone structure of the mastoid process. A projection of a portion of the temporal bone in the skull, the mastoid process is located behind the ear. These cells may be of different sizes, depending on where they are positioned within the mastoid.
What is fluid in mastoid air cells?
The mastoid bone, which is full of these air cells, is part of the temporal bone of the skull. The mastoid air cells are thought to protect the delicate structures of the ear, regulate ear pressure and possibly protect the temporal bone during trauma.
What is opacification of the middle ear?
Opacification of the middle ear and mastoid represents a spectrum of inflammatory, neoplastic, vascular, fibro-osseous, and traumatic changes. This article reviews the most important clinical and pathological characteristics, emphasizing CT and MRI findings.