Pneumocoele after cochlear implantation

Abstract

Post-cochlear implantation pneumocoeles can be associated with harmful complications such as infection and CI dysfunction. The mechanism of pneumocoele formation is discussed, and strategies for its prevention are examined.

Sub-Galeal Pneumocele 20 Years after Cochlear Implantation

“…Most studies do not report serious complications as a result of pneumocele but in a series of four cases, one case developed an infection, which was treated successfully with antibiotics [6] . Of these four cases, two others resulted in diminished performance of the cochlear implant.…”

“…Ventilation tubes prevent a pressure build-up as they act as relief valves. Aspiration of the air under strictly aseptic conditions has also been recommended [3,6,9] . In our case, a pressure dressing for 4 weeks without surgery was extremely effective.…”

“…In almost every case report, a Valsalva maneuver or a Toynbee maneuver is implicated in the causation of subcutaneous emphysema after cochlear implantation [3][4][5][6][8][9][10] . Most studies do not report serious complications as a result of pneumocele but in a series of four cases, one case developed an infection, which was treated successfully with antibiotics [6] .…”

“…Pneumocele following cochlear implantation is a rare event [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . It generally occurs in the early postoperative period.…”

“…The most common complications are infection (wound infection and meningitis), facial nerve trauma, electrode migration/misplacement, vertigo, and tinnitus [1,2] . Pneumocele following cochlear implantation is very rare [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . Our case is even more unusual as the pneumocele developed more than two decades following cochlear implantation.…”