This boy was given a diagnosis of mastoiditis. This condition may be differentiated from simple acute otitis media (AOM) by the presence of increasing pain and tenderness over the mastoid bone. Recurrence or persistence of fever, as well as progressive otorrhea, are other clues. The mastoid swelling may cause the pinna to protrude farther than normal.
In this case, the FP referred the boy to an ear, nose, and throat specialist and underwent surgical drainage. After the pus was drained, the boy healed fully.
Text for Photo Rounds Friday courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD. Photo courtesy of William Clark, MD. This case was adapted from: Rayala B. Otitis media: acute otitis and otitis media with effusion. In: Usatine R, Smith M, Mayeaux EJ, et al, eds. Color Atlas of Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2013:170-179.
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