Outcome of Cochlear Implantation in Postmeningitic Children

Kim, Chong Sun; Chang, Sun O; Oh, Seung Ha; Koo, Ja Won; Hwang, Chan Ho; Ahn, Soon Hyun; Lee, Hyo Jeong

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Meningogenic labyrinthitis is a common cause of acquired profound sensorineural hearing loss in childhood. Obliterated cochlea is one of the most challenging problems in cochlear implantation because it limits the insertion of active electrodes. The aims of this study were to review the surgical findings of meningitic deaf children and to compare their speech performance with that of congenitally deaf children of the matching age group (n=20). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Of the 104 children who had implants, 18 (17.3%) were deafened by meningitis. Operative and high resolution CT (HRCT) findings were reviewed retrospectively with medical records. Speech feature discrimination test was performed to evaluate speech performance.
RESULTS
Seventeen out of 18 patients (94%) required drilling of the ossified bones at surgery. HRCT findings suggested ossification within the basal turn of 67% (71% sensitivity). Speech perception was tested for in ten cases. In 5 of the ten cases, complete insertion of electrodes was not possible. There were no significant differences in speech feature discrimination between congenital deaf children and meningitic deaf children. Speech perception was not related to the number of the electrodes inserted.
CONCLUSION
Most (94%) of postmeningitic deaf children had ossification. When the number of inserted active electrodes was more than 10, the number itself had no influence on the speech performance. Postmeningitic deaf children with ossified cochlear could obtain comparable benefit from having implants as much as non-meningitic children.