Mastoiditis and mastoid fistula
What the FAA's documents say about mastoiditis and mastoid fistula, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Item 29. Ear - Mastoids
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
Disease/Condition Class Evaluation Data Disposition Mastoid fistula All … Mastoiditis, acute or chronic All
Short version
The FAA's table sorts it into two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Mastoid fistulaMastoid fistula | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
| Mastoiditis, acute or chronicMastoiditis, acute or chronic | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Mastoiditis and mastoid fistula
- Mastoid fistula · FAA review
A mastoid fistula. The table's evaluation data is to submit all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and its disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Mastoid fistula All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision
- Mastoiditis, acute or chronic · FAA review
Mastoiditis, acute or chronic. The table's evaluation data is to submit all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and its disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Mastoiditis, acute or chronic All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision
The FAA pathways for mastoiditis and mastoid fistula
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Mastoid fistula
Your plan
Step 1: Medical information and a status report
The evaluation data the table lists for a mastoid fistula and for mastoiditis.All pertinent medical information and a current status report.
Show the FAA's words: Medical information and a status report
Mastoid fistula All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
Mastoiditis, acute or chronic All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
FAA source: Mastoids. FAA date 7 January 2021; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Mastoid fistulaDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table's evaluation data is to submit all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and its disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defersMastoiditis, acute or chronicDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table's evaluation data is to submit all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and its disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Mastoid fistula · FAA review
A mastoid fistula. The table's evaluation data is to submit all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and its disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Mastoid fistula All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision
- Mastoiditis, acute or chronic · FAA review
Mastoiditis, acute or chronic. The table's evaluation data is to submit all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and its disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Mastoiditis, acute or chronic All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision
If the examiner defersFAA review
For a mastoid fistula the table's disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
For mastoiditis, acute or chronic, the table's disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. All pertinent medical information and a current status report.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
For a mastoid fistula the table's disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Mastoid fistula All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision
- Reason 2
For mastoiditis, acute or chronic, the table's disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Mastoiditis, acute or chronic All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
All pertinent medical information and a current status report.
Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
Good to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
Both lines require an FAA decision
The table gives a mastoid fistula and mastoiditis, acute or chronic, the same evaluation data and the same disposition, Requires FAA Decision. It gives no disposition the examiner can issue on.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Mastoid fistula All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision Mastoiditis, acute or chronic All Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report Requires FAA Decision
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.