Mastoiditis laboratory findings
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mehrian Jafarizade, M.D [2]
Overview
Overview
There are no diagnostic blood laboratory findings associated with mastoiditis. Some patients with mastoiditis may have elevated ESR, CRP, and white blood cells with a left shift. These laboratory findings are nonspecific and are not helpful in making the diagnosis. It is very important to obtain specimens for microbiology. Microbiology results are crucial in guiding the proper antimicrobial choice of treatment. There are multiple types of bacteria that may cause mastoiditis, such as Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus, and there is a rising concern about antibiotic resistance in some microorganisms. The obtained fluid or pus should be sent for Gram stain, aerobic and anaerobic culture, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Specimens could be obtained from multiple sites such as the middle ear via tympanocentesis or myringotomy, percutaneous aspiration from subperiosteal abscess, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood cultures.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory Findings
There are no diagnostic lab findings associated with mastoiditis. Some patients with mastoiditis may have elevated ESR, CRP, and white blood cells with a left shift. These laboratory findings are nonspecific and are not helpful in making the diagnosis.[1][2]
Microbiologic cultures
Microbiologic cultures
It is very important to obtain specimens for microbiology. Microbiology results are crucial in guiding the proper antimicrobial choice of treatment. There are various types of bacteria that may cause mastoiditis, including Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus. Also, there is a rising concern about antibiotic resistance in some microorganisms. The obtained fluid or pus should be sent for Gram stain, aerobic and anaerobic culture, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Specimens could be obtained via each of the following sites:[3][4]
- Middle ear via tympanocentesis or myringotomy
- Subperiosteal abscess: In this condition percutaneous aspiration is preferred.
- Cerebrospinal fluid: In the case of meningismus (stiff neck, headache)
- Blood cultures: blood cultures are usually negative.
References
References
- ↑ Lin HW, Shargorodsky J, Gopen Q (2010). “Clinical strategies for the management of acute mastoiditis in the pediatric population”. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 49 (2): 110–5. doi:10.1177/0009922809344349. PMID 19734439.
- ↑ Pang LH, Barakate MS, Havas TE (2009). “Mastoiditis in a paediatric population: a review of 11 years experience in management”. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 73 (11): 1520–4. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2009.07.003. PMID 19758711.
- ↑ Luntz M, Brodsky A, Nusem S, Kronenberg J, Keren G, Migirov L, Cohen D, Zohar S, Shapira A, Ophir D, Fishman G, Rosen G, Kisilevsky V, Magamse I, Zaaroura S, Joachims HZ, Goldenberg D (2001). “Acute mastoiditis–the antibiotic era: a multicenter study”. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 57 (1): 1–9. PMID 11165635.
- ↑ van den Aardweg MT, Rovers MM, de Ru JA, Albers FW, Schilder AG (2008). “A systematic review of diagnostic criteria for acute mastoiditis in children”. Otol. Neurotol. 29 (6): 751–7. doi:10.1097/MAO.0b013e31817f736b. PMID 18617870.
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