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Published on: November 5, 2019
Implantation of the common cavity malformation may prevent meningitis
Benjamin R Roman1, Daniel H Coelho, J Thomas Roland
1Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Insights
Children with inner ear malformations face meningitis risks but can benefit from cochlear implants. Simultaneous surgery for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair and cochlear implantation can prevent meningitis and restore hearing.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Congenital inner ear malformations, such as common cavity defects, increase the risk of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and meningitis in children.
- These children may also be candidates for cochlear implantation to address hearing loss.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old girl with bilateral common cavity defects experienced a contralateral CSF leak and meningitis after initial cochlear implantation.
- The patient underwent simultaneous cochlear implantation and definitive CSF leak repair after infection resolution.
Findings:
- The combined surgical approach successfully prevented recurrent meningitis in this case.
- The patient achieved hearing benefit from bilateral cochlear implants.
Implications:
- Simultaneous cochlear implantation and CSF leak repair may be a viable surgical option for children with cochlear malformations.
- Early bilateral cochlear implantation before CSF leaks occur could be beneficial for these patients.
Unlabelled:
OBJECTIVES AND IMPORTANCE: Children with certain congenital malformations of the inner ear, including those with a common cavity defect, have a higher incidence of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and resulting meningitis. However, they may also benefit from cochlear implantation. We suggest that surgical management may be possible that both prevents meningitis and provides hearing rehabilitation during the same procedure.
Clinical Presentation:
A 2-year-old girl with bilateral common cavity defects who had previously undergone cochlear implantation developed contralateral CSF leak resulting in meningitis.
Intervention:
After resolution of the infection, cochlear implantation was performed at the same time as definitive CSF leak repair. Simultaneous cochlear implantation and repair of the CSF leak successfully decreased the chance of recurrent meningitis in this case. She has been deriving hearing benefit from the bilateral implants.
Conclusion:
This case suggests a role for cochlear implantation to be combined with simultaneous CSF leak repair in children with a cochlear malformation. Furthermore, bilateral cochlear implantation at an early age may be warranted in these patients before CSF leaks and meningitis have occurred.
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