Incidental finding of mastoid opacification in computed tomography imaging of the asymptomatic paediatric population

Acute mastoiditis is a clinically diagnosed suppurative infection of the mastoid air cells and is the most common complication of acute otitis media. Opacification of the mastoid air cells is a commonly reported radiological finding and patients are often erroneously diagnosed with acute mastoiditis when this is present.

This study aimed to quantify incidental findings of mastoid opacification in the asymptomatic paediatric population and contribute to the epidemiological data.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all paediatric patients who underwent relevant computed tomography imaging for a non-otological indication.

Data were collected from 767 patients in total. Mastoid opacification was reported in 82 patients. The prevalence was highest in patients aged zero to one year (n = 25, prevalence = 20.3 per cent), followed by those aged two to three years (n = 17, prevalence = 19.5 per cent).

Mastoid opacification is a common incidental finding in the asymptomatic paediatric population, with prevalence rates between 5 per cent and 20 per cent depending on age. The prevalence peaks in patients aged zero to four years (19-20 per cent) and is inversely correlated with increasing age.