Water contamination and swimming with the open mastoid cavity

The aim of this study was to assess whether patients with open mastoid cavities should be advised to avoid water contaminating the ear in order to avoid aural discharge. A detailed history and clinical examination was performed on 53 patients with a unilateral modified radical mastoid cavity of more than 5 years duration. The results showed that it is possible to identify reliably the well-designed trouble-free cavity by the features of its skin lining and the ability to visualize the entire cavity through a size 4 Siegle speculum. A patient with this form of cavity very rarely develops aural discharge following water exposure and need not protect the ear during washing but should do so when swimming because of caloric effects.