In a patient diagnosed with mastoiditis, which sign is most likely?

In a patient diagnosed with mastoiditis, which sign is most likely?

• A. Fever, cough
• B. Displaced pinna
• C. Nuchal rigidity
• D. Recent history of pharyngitis

Answer: (B)

In mastoiditis, the most characteristic sign is outward displacement of the pinna due to swelling and tenderness behind the ear. The infection spreads from the middle ear into the mastoid air cells, causing postauricular edema and sometimes a subperiosteal abscess that pushes the ear away from the head. This visible change is more specific to mastoiditis than other findings. Fever can be present but is nonspecific and seen in many infections. Nuchal rigidity suggests possible meningitis or intracranial involvement rather than a localized ear infection. A recent history of pharyngitis may precede ear infections but does not produce the distinctive postauricular swelling that displaces the pinna.

In mastoiditis, the most characteristic sign is outward displacement of the pinna due to swelling and tenderness behind the ear. The infection spreads from the middle ear into the mastoid air cells, causing postauricular edema and sometimes a subperiosteal abscess that pushes the ear away from the head. This visible change is more specific to mastoiditis than other findings.

Fever can be present but is nonspecific and seen in many infections. Nuchal rigidity suggests possible meningitis or intracranial involvement rather than a localized ear infection. A recent history of pharyngitis may precede ear infections but does not produce the distinctive postauricular swelling that displaces the pinna.