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Mastoidectomy
A mastoidectomy is surgery to remove cells in the hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull behind the ear. These cells are called mastoid air cells.
Description
This surgery used to be a common way to treat an infection in mastoid air cells. In most cases, the condition was caused by an ear infection that spread to the bone in the skull.
Why the Procedure Is Performed
Mastoidectomy may be used to treat:
-
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is a type of skin cyst that is located in the middle ear and mastoid bone in the skull.
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Complications of an ear infection (
otitis media
)
Otitis media
Chronic ear infection is fluid, swelling, or an infection behind the eardrum that does not go away or keeps coming back. It causes long-term or perm...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Infections of the mastoid bone that do not get better with antibiotics
-
To place a
cochlear implant
Cochlear implant
A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that helps people hear. It can be used for people who are deaf or very hard of hearing. A cochlear ...
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Risks
Risks may include:
- Changes in taste
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss
- Infection that persists or keeps returning
-
Noises in the ear (
tinnitus
)
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the medical term for "hearing" noises in your ears. It occurs when there is no outside source of the sounds. Tinnitus is often called "r...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Weakness of the face
References
Chole RA. Chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, and petrositis. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund V, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 139.
Stevens SM, Lambert PR. Mastoidectomy. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund V, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 142.
Review Date: 9/17/2016
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, general surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
