Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: . Deafness developing as a complication after meningitis represents a serious medical and social issue, particularly among children and young adults. One of the most frequent and severe complications of meningitis is inner ear involvement — cochlear labyrinthitis with subsequent fibrosis and ossification of the cochlea, which may lead to irreversible sensorineural hearing loss or complete deafness. Early detection of cochlear involvement and timely cochlear implantation play a key role in minimizing these consequences. Objective. To assess the extent of cochlear damage and to detect ossification following bacterial meningitis. Patients and methods. Twenty patients (40 temporal bones) aged from 1 to 57 years with post-meningitic deafness were examined (Streptococcus pneumoniae, 50%; Neisseria meningitidis, 40%; Haemophilus influenzae type B, 10%). The duration of deafness ranged from 1 month to 38 years. Temporal bone CT and MRI, audiological tests (OAE, ABR) were performed. Statistical analysis included the chi-square test, Spearman correlation, and Kaplan—Meier analysis. Results. Ossification was detected in 90% of ears, including the basal turn >6 mm (45%), apical turn (37.5%), and total ossification (25%). Semicircular canal involvement was observed in 72.5% of cases; vestibular involvement, in 30%. No correlation was found between the duration of deafness and the degree of ossification (ρ = -0.05, p = 0.78). Total ossification was observed as early after 1 month. Discrepancies between CT/MRI and intraoperative findings were noted in 10% of patients. Pneumococcal meningitis was associated with more severe ossification. Conclusions. Cochlear involvement after meningitis requires early radiological assessment (MRI after 2–4 weeks, CT after 1–3 months) and cochlear implantation within 1–3 months to minimize irreversible consequences.
Source: Russian otorhinolaryngology
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7124960367