A Case of Pediatric Cochlear Implant Reimplantation due to Cholesteatoma

Abstract

We report herein on a case of reimplantation of a cochlear implant (CI) necessitated by cholesteatoma formation. Although the cholesteatoma had partly invaded the tympanic sinus, the round window niche, and the cochlea, a canal wall down mastoidectomy and expansion of the cochleostomy were useful to remove the cholesteatoma completely. In the replacement with a CI24RECA model we were able to reinsert all electrodes into the cochlea without resistance, and then the results of the neural response telemetry (NRT) were entirely positive. There were no postoperative complications. The postoperative speech perception improved compared with the preoperative findings. About a month after the operation, the patient suffered from otitis media with effusion, but it was cured without puncture and ventilation tube placement in a few weeks. At present there has been no reccurence. In agreement with previous reports, we think that CI reimplantation is an effective and relatively safe procedure.