Sinus problems and MASTOIDITIS

[peipaws]

I posted in the Allergies forum.  Posting here also because I noticed several postings with sinus related problems were responded to.



My husband's recent test noted he has chronic mastoiditis in his mastoid sinus AND temporal bone.  From what I have seen on the internet this is serious.  There are other issues going on also.  Not sure if I should be worried that they have yet to treat this and just keep doing more test.



Anyone else have mastoiditis that could give me a idea on treatment or what to expect?

[Demiguise]

Get copies of scan & labs. He should have had a Coronal CT &

yes, chronic mastoiditis can be very serious. Has he been on

any antibiotics/anti-inflamm? Report may tell to what extent

& what other areas may be effected. He should have a specialist

treating him. An Otolaryngologist-Surgeon to evaluate. This

could have some bad effect on the temporal bone nerves & my

guess is that he's in some real pain. Are you in US? Sometimes

pathology is necessary to determine if antibiotics are helping.

Infection in this are can block cell-space & dissolve bone.

Sounds like a horrible movie but he will have to have this a

long time to get there. Get copy & ck. type of scan that was

done. Be aggressive & find new Dr's or a Medical University

w/ a Otolaryngology Dept. Many times longer/stronger med course

must be used. Depends on extent or if minor mastoiditis from

something else going on. Gd-luck.

[crystaly]

Hi I had mastoid in my 20s . I didnt have any sinus problems though.  I had antibiotic treatment but unfortunaetly it was a very bad case I was told and I ended up having a mastoidectomy. Not entirely sure what this involves but I was quite ill before I had it done. I,m sure Demi or someone else can elaborate on what it involves. Hope this helps a little. Chris

[peipaws]

Thank you for your responses.  He has had ct and mri's with and without contrast.  We did call the best hospital in the area and he had a appt with one Otolaryngologist-Surgeon there.  They called the night before and canceled because they wanted to see the Otolaryngologist-Surgeon that specializes in sinuses.  I looked up his profile on the hospital's site and it says... "provides management of acute and chronic sinus disease utilizing the latest endoscopic and image-guided technologies available.  He is recognized nationally for his expertise in this field as well as the endoscopic management of tumors and cancers of the nasal cavities and skull-base."  He has yet to see this dr but he did order a more detailed MRI with contrast of my husband's sinus area which he had done Friday.  We had dropped his previous mri's and ct scan films off already.  They said this one had smaller "slices".  There is also a "mass" in my husband's nasal turbinate.  It looks to be huge on the mri films and distorting his nose.  Too look at my husband you cant tell.  Everything I read on mastoiditis says once discovered they need to be on IV antibiotics for 48hrs and then continue to take them for months.  Its been a week since the first test reported finding it, not just in his maxillary sinus but TEMPORAL BONE also and he has not had any.  I guess I'm just concerned that maybe they think it sinus cancer.  He doesn't have really alot of pain.  Headaches and upper teeth on that side.  He's been taking tylenol for it.  We are in the US and his dr is at a Medical University. Wasn't sure if it was ok to mention the hospital and dr by name. I had emailed copies of all these reports directly to them and his first appt was to be 2 days later.  Thats the one that was canceled the night before and changed his dr's.  It was 2 days later he had the MRI his "new" dr ordered.

[charley1986]

Hey,

So glad to see that you have posted again.  You and your hubby ahve been in my thoughts and prayers.  I am sorry that things are looking so serious - I will continue to keep you in my prayers.  Don't know anything about this stuff but I am going to check it out.  I hope that you are holding up well.  I know that this has been quite a discovery - so now atleast we know what SPECIFICALLY to pray for.  Keep posting and letting us know how things are going.

Take care,

Charley

[peipaws]

Thanks for the info.  Thats exactly what everything I've read says to do. Thats what has me worried that they believe this to be sinus cancer.  He has it so bad that its even in his temporal bone and has yet to be treated for it or given a antibiotic.  Just more test.  He had this last test Friday so hoping the dr will be calling Monday with a appt ASAP.  He's had mri and ct scans previous that both confirmed the mastoiditis in maxillary and temporal bone.  I have to assume that now they are investigating the "mass" in his turbinate.

[crystaly]

I hope that you get a positive result rather than a negative one . It is possible that the mass is bengn. Keep in touch nd let us know how you go on. I know this is a worrying time for you believe me. If you have ever read any of my posts my husband has cx and I know once the word mass is mentioned you inevitably assume the worst. I hope the results turn out to be positive for you and your family. Best Wishes Chris

[crystaly]

Hi All I can tell you really is that I started off with a painful left ear and my gp gave me antibiotics for a week. The pain didnt subside and just got worse , the left side of my face started to swell. I couldnt lift my head up straight and I was in that much pain I didnt know what to do. I went to Accident and emergency and was admitted immediately ,had ct scan and went stright to surgery after. My mastoid had apparently burst and was seeping into areas of my brain. They did remove part of the bone behind my ear not sure what its called and I was on antibiotics for quite a long time afterwards. The only after effect was a partial hearing loss which Ive had ever since. I think a mastoid is like an abcess but inside the inner ear . Chris

[Demiguise]

I'm quite familiar w/ this picture. Has he had symptoms for yrs

or quick onset? Has face/eye swelled? Any severe earpain? You

are doing great w/ researching hospital/Dr. The Mastoid isn't a

sinus cavity, it is the rounded bone behind the ear. Inlamm.

can happen & is called mastoiditis. This is rare to go so far w/ extension, since antibiotics are aggressively used. What you

have described (hope I'm wrong), is a very rare condition that

only 2% is found & treated before it has done some really bad things. It's a condition that actually starts in the maxillary

sinus