Postmeningitic ossification in pediatric cochlear implantation

Objective: The goals of this study were to retrospectively review high-resolution CTs (HRCTs) of pediatric postmeningitic cochlear implant recipients and to correlate results with surgical findings. Methods: HRCTs of 20 children (11 months to 12 years old) who underwent implantation with multichannel devices were reviewed. Results were correlated with the degree of ossification observed at surgery. Results: Ninety percent of subjects required drilling of ossified bone within the basal turn at surgery. HRCT of the cochleas suggested ossification within the basal turn in 45% (50% sensitivity). Ossification of the lateral semicircular canal on HRCT was present in 72% (77% sensitivity). Five of 6 cases without radiographic evidence of ossification had positive findings at surgery. Conclusion: Ossification is a common occurrence in postmeningitic deaf children. Ossification of the lateral semicircular canal on HRCT is a more sensitive measure for predicting ossification than evidence of cochlear involvement. Absence of ossification on HRCT is no guarantee of cochlear patency at the time of implantation. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;122:183-8.)