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Spread of infection

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Infection in the middle ear can be serious because of the proximity of vital structures:

  • facial nerve - runs through the middle ear, and may be damaged as part of an inflammatory reaction

  • mastoid air cells - posterior to the middle ear and themselves, adjacent to the posterior fossa containing the cerebellum, and the lateral sinus

  • vestibular labyrinth - medially; chronic suppuration may erode through the lateral semicircular canal allowing bacteria to gain access to the inner ear

  • middle cranial fossa containing the temporal lobe - superiorly

See complications of otitis media for further details.

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