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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Aug 1;44(7):627-635.
doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003913. Epub 2023 Jun 15.

Meningitis Risk in Patients with Inner Ear Malformations after Cochlear Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Shravan Gowrishankar  1 , Alex Fleet  1 , Michele Tomasoni  2 , Isla Kuhn  3 , James Tysome  4 , Matthew E Smith  4 , Neil Donnelly  4 , Patrick Axon  4 , Daniele Borsetto  4 , Manohar Bance  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Meningitis Risk in Patients with Inner Ear Malformations after Cochlear Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Shravan Gowrishankar et al. Otol Neurotol. .

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the rate of postoperative meningitis after cochlear implantation in those with inner ear malformations (IEMs) via meta-analysis.

Data sources: Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.

Methods: This study was reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Proportion meta-analysis was conducted through an inverse variance random-effect model based on arcsin transformation and presented as forest plots. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed through the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool.

Results: Overall, 38 of 2966 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. There were 10 cases of meningitis after cochlear implantation in 1300 malformed ears. The overall rate of meningitis after cochlear implantation in IEMs was 0.12% (95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.380%; I2 = 0%). Cases occurred in incomplete partition (n = 5), Mondini deformity (n = 2), common cavity (n = 2), and enlarged internal auditory canal (n = 1). Six of 10 cases of postoperative meningitis occurred with an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Conclusion: In those with IEMs, the risk of meningitis after cochlear implantation is very low.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors disclose no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
PRISMA flowchart of the search and screening process.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
Forest plot for studies reporting the rate of postimplant meningitis in those with IEMs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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