Cochlear implantation in children: Labyrinthitis following pneumococcal otitis media in unimplanted and implanted cat cochleas

Abstract

Pneumococcal otitis media is frequent in young children and could lead to labyrinthitis post-implantation. To assess the risk, and methods of minimizing it by a graft to the round window around the electrode entry point, we have used a cat animal model of pneumococcal otitis media. Twenty-one kittens were used in the study. Thirty-two cochleas were implanted when the kittens were 3 months of age. Fourteen cochleas were implanted without using a graft (12 were available for study): 9 had a Fascial graft, and 9 a Gelfoam" graft (7 were available for study). The implanted kittens had their bullae inoculated with Streptococcus pneumoniae 2 months after implantation and were sacrificed I week lat..