Mastoiditis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

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Mastoiditis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 7-year-old girl is brought to the clinic with a one-week history of right ear pain and a three-day history of swelling behind her right ear. She was treated for otitis media two weeks ago. On examination, there is tenderness, redness, and swelling over the mastoid process. Which of the following is the most appropriate diagnostic test to confirm the suspected diagnosis?

A. Pure tone audiometry
B. Tympanometry
C. CT scan of the temporal bone
D. MRI of the brain
E. Complete blood count (CBC)

Answer and topic summary

The answer is: CT scan of the temporal bone

In a patient with clinical signs suggestive of mastoiditis, such as history of otitis media followed by pain, swelling, and tenderness over the mastoid process, a CT scan of the temporal bone is the most appropriate diagnostic test. It helps in assessing the extent of the infection, the presence of coalescent mastoiditis, and any intracranial complications.

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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint EENT ⇒ Other abnormalities of the ear (PEARLS) ⇒ Mastoiditis

Also covered under the PAEA Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Rotation EOR topic list