Background: 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.
Objectives: This study aimed to quantify incidental findings of mastoid opacification in the asymptomatic paediatric population and contribute to the epidemiological data.
Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all paediatric patients who underwent relevant computed tomography imaging for a non-otological indication.
Results: 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).
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Infant; Mastoiditis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed.