Tympanic membrane changes following paediatric cochlear implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of cochlear implantation on the tympanic membrane in children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Eighty-four cochlear implant recipients were recruited at a vaccination clinic. The implanted ear was examined and the appearance of the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane documented. Demographic and clinical data such as age at implantation, duration of implantation, preoperative tympanic membrane appearance and preoperative middle-ear function were obtained retrospectively from hospital charts.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients (46.9%) were found to have abnormal tympanic membrane findings. The most common abnormality was scarring of the tympanic membrane in the vicinity of the electrode array. No statistically significant association was found between the tympanic membrane findings and demographic and clinical variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Cochlear implantation may cause tympanic membrane scarring. The significance of the scarring is unclear. Dehiscence of the posterior wall of the external auditory canal should be avoided to prevent retraction pocket formation of the tympanic membrane.
Chan
Yvonne
Y
Cochlear Implant Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Campisi
Paolo
P
James
Adrian L
AL
Papsin
Blake C
BC