Contralateral Implantation in Children Affected by Postimplant Meningitis

This study was designed to investigate the indication and advantages of contralateral implantation after postimplant meningitis (piM). Speech perception assessment, most comfortable levels and high-resolution computer tomography were used to monitor cochlear fibrosis/ossification and clinical changes in outcomes in 5 children affected by meningitis after a variable-time post-cochlear implantation. Ipsilateral ossification was found in 3 children, 1 of whom developed delayed contralateral ossification. These children were implanted on the contralateral side as they all showed deterioration of hearing performance. Results from the present paper and literature analysis suggest that, (1) piM can induce ipsilateral and contralateral ossification, (2) meningitis-induced cochlear ossification is more prone to develop in the presence of a normal cochlear structure and (3) contralateral implantation after piM has proven to be effective in restoring performance when a full electrode insertion is accomplished.