Mastoiditis caused by atypical mycobacteria.

Three case reports of mastoiditis caused by atypical mycobacteria are discussed and a review of the world literature is given. Our aim is to focus the attention of the ENT specialist and the pediatrician on these pathological agents in unilateral recurrent otitis media. The case reports illustrate the importance of histologic and microbiologic examination. Difficulties in the differential diagnosis are mentioned. The therapy is slightly different from lymphadenitis caused by atypical mycobacteria because for mastoiditis we prefer the combination of surgery with medical treatment.