It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Mastoiditis , when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Middle Ear Infection (otitis Media).
Middle ear infection or acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear usually caused by bacteria. The middle ear is a space behind the eardrum that contains the bones of the ear and is far more common in children than adults. Symptoms of a middle ear infection includes ear pain, drainage of fluid from the ear, trouble hearing, fever, headache, loss of appetite and balance issues. Middle ear infections can be misdiagnosed as otitis externa (outer ear infection), cholesteatoma of the ear, and mastoiditis.