Acute and latent mastoiditis.

The diagnosis 'acute' mastoiditis is not an unambiguous entity. It contains both 'classical' and 'latent' mastoiditis. 'Classical' mastoiditis was often seen before the antibiotic era, had serious complications and was cured by mastoidectomy. After the introduction of antibiotics, the number of cases of 'classical' mastoiditis decreased and was replaced by a more prolonged condition called 'latent' mastoiditis. Lately in Oslo, we have seen an increase in numbers of 'classical' mastoiditis and at the same time a decrease in the incidence of 'latent' mastoiditis. A four year study of patients with 'classical' mastoiditis is described.