Subperiosteal abscess behind the ear

When acute exacerbations of middle ear cholesteatoma, chronic suppurative otitis media with mastoiditis, or acute otitis media with mastoiditis occur, pus accumulated in the mastoid cavity flows into the subperiosteal space behind the ear through the destroyed lateral cortical bone of the mastoid, forming a postauricular subperiosteal abscess. It is one of the common complications of otitis media. This condition is more common in infants, young children, and adolescents, with a higher incidence in males. The main symptoms include pain in and behind the ear accompanied by significant tenderness, and pus in the external auditory canal. Further progression of the abscess can lead to ipsilateral headache and fever.