investigations

Last reviewed 01/2018

Investigations in acute mastoiditis may reveal:

  • a raised white cell count, especially neutrophils
  • opacity and air coalescence seen on mastoid radiograph

Other possible features of acute mastoiditis that may be found are:

  • a subperiosteal abscess over the mastoid process
  • an abscess formed in the neck - Bezold's abscess
  • extension of infection to the zygoma, causing a zygomatic mastoiditis