Osteoma of the Mastoid Process: Ear Pain Unrelated to Infection

Pain in and around the ear is often associated with a minor ear infection or a complication with a viral infection. For some individuals, however, the complications with ear and jaw pain may be related to a more complex, and life threatening, health risk for which the mastoid process may be compromised. If you have chronic mastoid pain, it is important to understand what risks you may face, including the risk for develop an osteoma of the mastoid bone.

The mastoid process, or mastoid bone, is a boney extension within the area of the ear, on the side of the head. When sinus infection, viral infection of the cranial nerves, or any type of abnormal bone complication develops, severe ear and jaw pain often develop first. Because this pain is often similar to an ear infection, patients typically do not seek out medical treatment immediately.

Osteoma of the mastoid bone is a type of tumor that can develop anywhere along the side of the head, above the ear. The pain associated with an osteoma can be slow developing and, as a result, patients often do not seek out medical attention immediately. However, delay in treatment can often lead to life threatening outcomes and mastoiditis is painful and difficult to treat.

If you are experiencing pain in and around the mastoid bone, and if you have a risk for tumor development, it is important to seek out medical attention as soon as you begin to experience ear or jaw pain. In many cases, a simple x-ray of the temporal bone and mastoid process can rule out, or confirm, the presence of a tumor. Erring on the side of caution is the key to identifying, and removing, an osteoma of the mastoid early in its development.

Some degree of mastoid pain and temporal pain can be associated with complications involving viral infection or simple sinus infection. By seeking out medical treatment you can set the path for tumor removal or, in a better scenario, simply obtain treatment for an infection. In either case, the pain associated with the mastoid process will be alleviated.

Sources: Middle Ear and Mastoid Surgery, by Rex Haberman