Infectious complications of pediatric cochlear implants are highly influenced by otitis media

Abstract

Objective: Determine the incidence of ear infections in cochlear implant patients, evaluate the contribution of otitis media to complications, describe the bacteriology of otitis media in the cochlear implant population, the treatment provided at our center, and the long term outcome. Methods: Data collected included age at implantation, history of otitis media or ear tubes, etiology of hearing loss, inner ear anatomy, postoperative infections, time to infection, route of antibiotic administration, and interventions for infections. Categories of infection were acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, tube otorrhea, meningitis, scalp cellulitis, and infection at the implant site. Results: Middle ear infections were diagnosed in 37% of implanted ears. Extension of middle ear infections into the implant site occurred in 2.8% of all implants (n = 16). Of the 16 infected devices, 10 were successfully treated with antibiotic therapy and did not require explantation. The retained implant group and explanted group both included some middle ear microbes such as Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as skin flora such as Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: Otitis media in pediatric cochlear implant patients is a common event and usually does not lead to complications of the cochlear implant. However, when the ear infection spreads to the scalp and the implant site, it is still possible to eliminate the infection using antibiotic therapy, particularly when treatment is directed to the specific organism that is recovered from the infected space and the duration and route of antibiotic treatment is carefully considered.

Trends in Managing Cardiac and Orthopaedic Device-Associated Infections by Using Therapeutic Biomaterials

“…Cochlear implants are also prone to infections caused by upper respiratory tract pathogens, such as S. aureus , S. pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , or Moraxella catarrhalis [ 23 ]. These pathogens are typically implied in cochlear implant infections, including postoperative wounds (1–12%), otitis media (OTM), and bacterial meningitis [ 23 ].…”

“…Cochlear implants are also prone to infections caused by upper respiratory tract pathogens, such as S. aureus , S. pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , or Moraxella catarrhalis [ 23 ]. These pathogens are typically implied in cochlear implant infections, including postoperative wounds (1–12%), otitis media (OTM), and bacterial meningitis [ 23 ]. Particularly in children with cochlear implants, acute otitis media may cause the inner-ear infection, leading to hearing loss along with implant failure and even meningitis [ 23 ].…”

“…These pathogens are typically implied in cochlear implant infections, including postoperative wounds (1–12%), otitis media (OTM), and bacterial meningitis [ 23 ]. Particularly in children with cochlear implants, acute otitis media may cause the inner-ear infection, leading to hearing loss along with implant failure and even meningitis [ 23 ].…”

Applications and challenges of using 3D printed implants for the treatment of birth defects

“…Currently, the only clinical solution for such implant‐related acute bacterial biofilm infection is the removal of the infected prosthetic device and replacement with a new implant to eliminate the source of infection. It is important to mention that reimplantation of cochlear implants could worsen the speech development of affected children by up to 10% (Vila, Ghogomu, Odom‐John, Hullar, & Hirose, ), hence, more effective treatment approaches for AMR biofilms are required as an alternative to reimplantation procedures.…”

Mimic Cochlear Implant Surgery-Induced Cochlear Infection Fails to Further Damage Auditory Pathway in Deafened Guinea Pigs

“…Certain residual contra-indications apply for the implant operation. The middle ear should be free from infection prior to the implant and infections in the cochlea and brain should also be avoided [ 9 , 10 ]. Therefore, a cochlear implant is not suitable for hearing loss patients with acute or chronic otitis media with otorrhea [ 9 , 10 ].…”