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Acute mastoiditis in children with a cochlear implant
Eyal Raveh1, David Ulanovski1, Joseph Attias2
1Cochlear Implant Program, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel and Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|January 27, 2016
Summary
Acute mastoiditis in children with cochlear implants is manageable, often affecting the implanted ear. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and drainage leads to complete recovery without implant damage.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Cochlear implantation is common in young children, a demographic susceptible to acute otitis media.
- Acute mastoiditis, a complication of otitis media, has limited documented management strategies in pediatric cochlear implant recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of acute mastoiditis in children who have undergone cochlear implantation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records of children who received cochlear implants between 2000-2014.
- Identification and data collection on patients diagnosed with acute mastoiditis post-implantation, including demographics, history, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 13.5% of 370 cochlear implant recipients developed acute mastoiditis, typically in the implanted ear.
- Treatment involved myringotomy, antibiotics, and surgical drainage in most cases; no intracranial complications or implant issues were reported.
- Average follow-up of 3.8 years showed no persistent middle-ear pathology.
Conclusions:
- Recent mastoidectomy may increase the risk of acute mastoiditis and subperiosteal abscess in pediatric cochlear implant patients.
- While drainage is often necessary, extensive surgery is usually avoided, with rapid and complete recovery.
- Close monitoring for otitis media is crucial, even years post-implantation, with potential re-insertion of ventilation tubes.
