Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T09:12:03.416Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Bacterial meningitis secondary to stapes footplate malformation in a child with an auditory brainstem implant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2011

M Mandalà*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, University of Verona, Italy
L Colletti
Affiliation:
ENT Department, University of Verona, Italy
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Marco Mandalà, Piazzale L A Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy Fax: +39 045802749 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

We report a rare presentation of otogenic bacterial meningitis secondary to a stapes footplate malformation in a paediatric patient with an auditory brainstem implant.

Case report:

A patient with Mondini's dysplasia developed meningitis six years after auditory brainstem implantation. The aetiology was believed to be otogenic, secondary to stapes footplate malformation.

Conclusion:

To our best knowledge, this is the first report of otogenic bacterial meningitis secondary to stapes footplate malformation in a paediatric patient with an auditory brainstem implant. Subjects with inner ear malformations, especially Mondini's dysplasia, need to be carefully evaluated pre-operatively to reduce or eliminate any anatomical conditions which may predispose to meningitis. In children with an auditory brainstem implant and suspected ear malformation, we recommend pre-operative radiological investigation to look for the ‘bulging oval window’ sign. When radiological signs are positive, bilateral exploratory tympanotomy should be performed to detect any undiagnosed anatomical stapes footplate defects, which may predispose to bacterial meningitis.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Loundon, N, Blanchard, M, Roger, G, Denoyelle, F, Garabedian, EN. Medical and surgical complications in pediatric cochlear implantation. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010;136:1215CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Colletti, V, Shannon, RV, Carner, M, Veronese, S, Colletti, L. Complications in auditory brainstem implant surgery in adults and children. Otol Neurotol 2010;31:558–64CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3McJunkin, J, Jeyakumar, A. Complications in pediatric cochlear implants. Am J Otolaryngol 2010;31:110–13CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Sennaroglu, L. Cochlear implantation in inner ear malformations – a review article. Cochlear Implants Int 2010;11:441CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Ehmer, DR Jr, Booth, T, Kutz, JW Jr, Roland, PS. Radiographic diagnosis of trans-stapedial cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010;142:694–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Selvadurai, DK, Gibbin, KP. Case report: cochlear implantation in Mondini dysplasia with congenital footplate defect: implications for meningitis risks during implantation. Cochlear Implants Int 2003;4:196200CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Torkos, A, Czigner, J, Jarabin, J, Toth, F, Szamoskozi, A, Kiss, JG et al. Recurrent bacterial meningitis after cochlear implantation in a patient with a newly described labyrinthine malformation. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2009;73:163–71CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8Kaddour, HS. Recurrent meningitis due to a congenital fistula of the stapedial footplate. J Laryngol Otol 1993;107:931–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed