| Description |
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Histologically, the bony changes in mastoiditis are predominantly those of destruction, with fragments of necrotic sequestered bone lying freely in purulent granulation tissue.
Large multinucleated osteoclasts can be seen lining the surfaces of infected bone. During the healing phase, fibrogranulations develop and slender fingers of pink staining osteoid tissue are laid down along the bony margins which gradually form a dense network of new bone which replaces the granulation tissue in the mastoid air cells.
The new bone formation, which may take place on a luxuriant scale, frequently leads to obliteration of normal air spaces and the ultimate formation of a sclerotic mastoid process. |
