Masked mastoiditis presenting with isolated motor tics in a pediatric patient: A case report
More details
Hide details
1
Students’ Scientific Club, Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology and Surgery of Head and Neck, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
2
Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology and Surgery of Head and Neck, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Corresponding author
Agata Gierlotka
Klinika Otolaryngologii Dziecięcej, Chirurgii Głowy i Szyi,
SPSK Nr 6 ŚUM Górnośląskie Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka im. Jana Pawła II, ul. Medyków 16, 40-752 Katowice, tel. +48 32 207 19 65
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Masked mastoiditis (MM) is a rare and diagnostically challenging condition characterized by inflammation of the mastoid air-cell system with minimal or absent otologic symptoms. Neurological manifestations are uncommon and typically associated with intracranial complications. We report the case of a 4-year-old boy presenting with a 6-day history of progressively worsening isolated motor tics, including head extension, frequent blinking, and repetitive squatting movements. There were no signs of infection, and otoscopic examination was unremarkable. Laboratory findings were within normal limits. Computed tomography revealed inflammatory changes within the mastoid process with bony erosion, while magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a petrous pyramid abscess, meningeal irritation, and suspected sigmoid sinus thrombosis. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics followed by mastoidectomy. Postoperatively, the motor tics resolved completely, and no recurrence was observed during 15 months of follow-up. Masked mastoiditis in pediatric patients may present with highly atypical and non-specific symptoms, including isolated neurological manifestations. This case highlights that normal otoscopic findings do not exclude significant underlying mastoid pathology. Imaging studies, particularly CT and MRI, are essential for accurate diagnosis. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in children presenting with unexplained movement disorders. Early recognition and appropriate surgical intervention can lead to complete resolution of symptoms and prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
INFORMED CONSENT
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s legal guardians for publication of this case report and accompanying clinical information.
AUTHORS' CONTRIBUTIONS
Study design – A. Gierlotka, I. Bielecki;
Manuscript preparation – W. Nowicka, P. Włodarczyk, B. Ziaja, A. Gierlotka, I. Bielecki;
Literature research – W. Nowicka, P. Włodarczyk, B. Ziaja;
Final approval of the version to be published – W. Nowicka, P. Włodarczyk, B. Ziaja, A. Gierlotka, I. Bielecki
PEER REVIEW INFORMATION
Article has been screened for originality
REFERENCES (19)
1.
Sahi D, Callender KD. Mastoiditis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; August 8, 2023.
2.
Voudouris C, Psarommatis I, Nikas I, Kafouris D, Chrysouli K. Pediatric Masked Mastoiditis Associated with Multiple Intracranial Complications. Case Rep Otolaryngol. 2015;2015:897239. doi: 10.1155/2015/897239.
3.
Bertolaso C, Cammisa I, Orsini N, Sollazzo M, Sardaro V, Gatto A, et al. Diagnosing acute mastoiditis in a Pediatric Emergency Department: a retrospective review. Acta Biomed. 2023;94(2):e2023037. doi: 10.23750/abm.v94i2.13839.
4.
Cassano P, Ciprandi G, Passali D. Acute mastoiditis in children. Acta Biomed. 2020;91(1-S):54–59. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i1-S.9259.
5.
Laulajainen Hongisto A, Jero J, Markkola A, Saat R, Aarnisalo AA. Severe Acute Otitis Media and Acute Mastoiditis in Adults. J Int Adv Otol. 2016;12(3):224–230. doi: 10.5152/iao.2016.2620.
6.
Samuel O, Saliba W, Stein N, Shiner Y, Cohen-Kerem R. Epidemiology of pediatric acute mastoiditis in Israel: A National Registry 10-year perspective. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2022;7(6):2139–2144. doi: 10.1002/lio2.948.
7.
Garcia C, Salgueiro AB, Luís C, Correia P, Brito MJ. Acute mastoiditis in children: Middle ear cultures may help in reducing use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;92:32–37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.11.002.
8.
Sohrabi C, Mathew G, Maria N, Kerwan A, Franchi T, Agha RA, et al. The SCARE 2023 guideline: updating consensus Surgical CAse REport (SCARE) guidelines. Int J Surg. 2023;109(5):1136–1140. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000373.
9.
Kuźmińska M, Sokołowski J, Niemczyk K. Diagnostic difficulties in latent mastoiditis – a case report. Pol Otorhino Rev 2013;2(1):43–46.
10.
Sarno LD, Cammisa I, Curatola A, Pansini V, Eftimiadi G, Gatto A, et al. A scoping review of the management of acute mastoiditis in children: What is the best approach? Turk J Pediatr. 2023;65(6):906–918. doi: 10.24953/turkjped.2023.320.
11.
Reale M, Montagnani C, Orlando P, Mazzetti L, Trinci M, Leone L, et al. Management of acute mastoiditis in children: a retrospective analysis. Ital J Pediatr. 2025;51(1):272. doi: 10.1186/s13052-025-02075-8.
12.
Omura T, Motoyama R, Tamura Y, Nonaka K, Tanei ZI, Shigemoto K, et al. Meningoencephalitis caused by masked mastoiditis that was diagnosed during a follow-up in an elderly patient with diabetes mellitus: A case report. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2020;20(5):500–501. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13904.
13.
Marszał J, Bartochowska A, Yu R, Wierzbicka M. Facial nerve paresis in the course of masked mastoiditis as a revelator of GPA. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022;279(9):4271–4278. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07166-w.
14.
Chen XC, Lu CW, Liu CH, Wei CC. Facial palsy complicated by masked otomastoiditis in a 3-month-old infant. J Emerg Med. 2014;46(2):e47–e50. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.029.
15.
Holt GR, Gates GA. Masked mastoiditis. Laryngoscope. 1983;93(8):1034–1037. doi: 10.1288/00005537-198308000-00011.
16.
Sbai AA, Essadqi O, Benfadil D, Lachkar A, Idrissi FEAE. Intratemporal and Extratemporal Complications in a Rare Case of Acute Mastoiditis: A Case Report and Literature Review. Radiol Case Rep. 2025;20(9):4424-4431. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2025.05.071.
17.
Ünver O, Ekinci G, Kutlubay BI, Gülten T, Güneş S, Hacıfazlıoğlu NE, et al. Evaluation of cases with cerebral thrombosis in children. Turk Pediatri Ars. 2016;51(2):87–93. doi: 10.5152/TurkPediatriArs.2016.3660.
18.
Saat R, Kurdo G, Brandstack N, Laulajainen-Hongisto A, Jero J, Markkola A. A New Classification System is Helpful in Diagnosing Intracranial Complications of Acute Mastoiditis in CT. Clin Neuroradiol. 2018;28(4):523–528. doi: 10.1007/s00062-017-0617-5.
19.
Pietraszek M, Bartochowska A, Balcerowiak A, Gawęcki W. Mastoiditis latens – the bane of ENT specialists in the modern world?. Postępy w chirurgii głowy i szyi/Advances in Head and Neck Surgery. 2022;21(1):4–8.