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Management of otitis media-related diseases in children with a cochlear implant
1Department of Otolaryngology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Taipei Medical University, 190 Chung Hwa Road, Yung KanCity, Tainan County, Taiwan 700, ROC. kingear.lin@msa.hinet.net
Insights
Four of 19 children with cochlear implants (CI) developed cholesteatoma due to otitis media. Regular follow-up and prompt antibiotic treatment are crucial for children with CIs to prevent serious ear infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Medical Device Complications
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Otitis media is a common childhood illness.
- Cochlear implants (CIs) are devices used to treat severe hearing loss.
- The relationship between CIs and otitis media complications requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate treatment strategies and outcomes for otitis media-related conditions in pediatric patients with cochlear implants.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case review was conducted at a tertiary referral center.
- The study included pediatric patients with a history of otitis media or related diseases in the implanted ear.
- Treatment modalities encompassed antibiotics, tympanotomy, and tympanomastoidectomy.
Main Results:
- Out of 186 children with CIs, 19 had otitis media; 4 of these developed cholesteatoma.
- Other diagnoses included acute otitis media (10 children), middle ear effusion (4 children), and mastoiditis (1 child).
- Surgery was necessary for cholesteatoma and mastoiditis cases, with 3 CIs explanted to remove cholesteatoma.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implant insertion may predispose to mastoid pneumatization issues, mucosal irritation, or infection.
- Regular monitoring is essential for children with CIs, especially during common otitis media ages.
- Prompt antibiotic treatment for suspected acute otitis media is recommended to prevent progression to chronic infection, cholesteatoma, or meningitis.
Conclusion:
In all, 4 of 19 children with a cochlear implant (CI) with otitis media developed cholesteatoma. The insertion of a CI may interfere with normal mastoid pneumatization, stimulate mucosa as foreign body, or act as a nidus of infection. Regular follow-up is necessary for children with a CI at the prevalent ages of otitis media. Antibiotic treatment is suggested whenever acute otitis media is suspected, to prevent chronic progress of infection, cholesteatoma, or even meningitis.
Objective:
To evaluate treatment modality and outcomes of otitis media-related diseases in children with a CI.
Patients And Methods:
This was a retrospective case review in a tertiary referral center of Taipei Medical University, Chi Mei Medical Center. All patients had a history of otitis media or related disease in the implanted ear. Treatments included antibiotics, tympanotomy, and tympanomastoidectomy.
Results:
In all, 19 of 186 children with a CI were identified as having otitis media, and 4 of them as having cholesteatoma. Among the others, 10 were identified as having acute otitis media, 4 as having middle ear effusion, and 1 as having mastoiditis in the implanted ear. Surgery was performed in children with cholesteatoma and mastoiditis. The CIs of three children were eventually explanted to eradicate cholesteatoma.
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