ABSTRACT
Mastoiditis represents one of the most clinically challenging diagnoses encountered by advanced practice nurses in emergency care. Malignant mastoiditis is a potentially fatal infection that invades and destroys underlying structures (Nuber & Muller, 2000). Management of patients with mastoiditis includes correction of underlying conditions, ear hygiene, cultures for the identification of pathogens, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and surgical intervention in selected cases. The purpose of this article is to discuss the assessment, differential diagnoses, and management of patients who present with a high index of suspicion for mastoiditis using an actual case presentation. Failure to recognize this disease may results in increased morbidity and even mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients.