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What Does "right Mastoid Air Cells Are Sclerotic" Mean?
Question: I have a report that says the right mastoid air cells are sclerotic and may relate to chronic mastoiditis. What does this mean? Is it dangerous? Is treatment required? I am on Medicare and it's close to end of month, so I really have no money to spare.
Brief Answer:
persisting inflammation of the mastoid bone
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Sclerotic refers to hardening of an area. It is most commonly caused from inflammation of the particular area.
Inflammation can be due infection, trauma, allergies, autoimmune disease.
The mastoid bone is part of the temporal bone ( lies somewhat to the side of the head) of the skull. It lies near the ears.
Chronic mastoiditis refers to persisting inflammation of the mastoid bones.
Chronic mastoiditis is most commonly associated with a history of recurrent or persisting ear infections. It can also be silent and not have any symptoms after an episode of acute ear infection.
Treatment requires the use of a course of antibiotics. Oral antibiotics may be effective but in some persons iv antibiotics may be needed.
In severe cases and where there is not a good response to antibiotics, surgery may be needed.
In some persons there may not be any complications but in others complications may occur.
Some possible complications of mastoiditis are hearing loss, spread of any persisting infection to the brain, damage to nerves. None of these complications may occur with you.
If the imaging had detected any spread of infection or potential damage to any other areas, it would have stated this.
Your doctor may simply suggest a course of antibiotics at this time.
I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
persisting inflammation of the mastoid bone
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Sclerotic refers to hardening of an area. It is most commonly caused from inflammation of the particular area.
Inflammation can be due infection, trauma, allergies, autoimmune disease.
The mastoid bone is part of the temporal bone ( lies somewhat to the side of the head) of the skull. It lies near the ears.
Chronic mastoiditis refers to persisting inflammation of the mastoid bones.
Chronic mastoiditis is most commonly associated with a history of recurrent or persisting ear infections. It can also be silent and not have any symptoms after an episode of acute ear infection.
Treatment requires the use of a course of antibiotics. Oral antibiotics may be effective but in some persons iv antibiotics may be needed.
In severe cases and where there is not a good response to antibiotics, surgery may be needed.
In some persons there may not be any complications but in others complications may occur.
Some possible complications of mastoiditis are hearing loss, spread of any persisting infection to the brain, damage to nerves. None of these complications may occur with you.
If the imaging had detected any spread of infection or potential damage to any other areas, it would have stated this.
Your doctor may simply suggest a course of antibiotics at this time.
I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This is scary. How do i find out the cause? What kind of doctor. Do i need a surgeon? What kind of doctor is necessary? It sounds like i will need surgery. Yes? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
may not necessarily lead to surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You may not necessarily need surgery but it would be best to be assessed by a specialist.
An ENT doctor would be best. This particular speciality would be responsible for treatment.
Your doctor could refer to one of these doctors.
If this is not an option there are web pages that can locate doctors in different specialities according to their location.
Examples are healthgrades.com, web md physician directory, zocdoc.com, XXXXXXX medical association doctor finder
Please feel free to ask any other questions
may not necessarily lead to surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You may not necessarily need surgery but it would be best to be assessed by a specialist.
An ENT doctor would be best. This particular speciality would be responsible for treatment.
Your doctor could refer to one of these doctors.
If this is not an option there are web pages that can locate doctors in different specialities according to their location.
Examples are healthgrades.com, web md physician directory, zocdoc.com, XXXXXXX medical association doctor finder
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry. When I responded, I did not see your whole answer. I read about it on Healthline, and to be honest, I am crying so much and really upset. I actually found this on the CT scan. My doctor overlooked it. I am really scared. I know we should think positively, but I never expected it. Last summer I went to the doctor because of my right ear, and he found a q-tip lodged way in there. He never treated me in any way. I suspect it may have been that which has now been a year. I am calling my ENT tomorrow and am getting in ASAP. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
may not have any complications
Detailed Answer:
HI
I am sorry for your distress, I really am.
As I said, you may not have any complications at all, you may be fine and as you said , positive thinking goes a really long way in any condition.
Wish you the best, feel free to contact if you need to
may not have any complications
Detailed Answer:
HI
I am sorry for your distress, I really am.
As I said, you may not have any complications at all, you may be fine and as you said , positive thinking goes a really long way in any condition.
Wish you the best, feel free to contact if you need to
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. I would rather know than not. Knowing it may have been a year makes it a bit harder. I have been having scab like spots on my skin on my skull and have wondered if there was something wrong cuz I have had a kind of OCD about them and scratch them off. They don't go away even if I put my hair in a ponytail so I leave them alone. This may not relate, but I have been concerned for awhile about it. I had a laminectomy last September and had a big abscess there. I wondered where it came from. It masked me wonder if there is a relation. I am scared about it all and the possible complications, so I will see a doctor and attack it right away. I have a left ovary that is miserable and needs to come out along with a node on the outside of my sigmoid colon which has also made me miserable, but I think I will change to focusing on them and deal with this first. I appreciate your candor and help.
Brief Answer:
ent able to determine if any complications
Detailed Answer:
HI
The laminectomy may not be related especially if it involved distant vertebra.
It is understandable to be concerned but you are right it is best to be assessed for any of the possible complications and start treatment as soon as possible
ent able to determine if any complications
Detailed Answer:
HI
The laminectomy may not be related especially if it involved distant vertebra.
It is understandable to be concerned but you are right it is best to be assessed for any of the possible complications and start treatment as soon as possible
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I did see an ENT, and he has no concern about this after reading the report and looking at the CT scan pictures. I had another doc say this is part of the aging process. I really did not care for his demeanor, but I can accept that response. Thanks for your help. I have thyroid nodules that were to be checked at 1 year, so seeing this doc is not a waste. He is going to follow up on those with a CT scan of the neck, so all is good. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
ok
Detailed Answer:
NO problem
You are welcome
ok
Detailed Answer:
NO problem
You are welcome
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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