title: Does meningitis after cochlear implantation remain a concern in 2011?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There have been 283 cases of meningitis after cochlear implantation reported since 2002 to the CDC Database Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience, resulting in 30 fatalities. This is the latest of a number of reports to track the continuing problem of meningitis occurring in cochlear implant users, mainly children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although a number of these patients had received a device with a 2-piece electrode, the withdrawal of that particular device has not prevented further cases from occurring. There are many potential etiologic factors potentially involved in postimplantation bacterial meningitis; although some can be managed or eliminated, vaccination against the most prevalent causal organism, the streptococcus pneumoniae, seems to be a powerful tool against this uncommon but serious complication of cochlear implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although up to 20 new cases of post-cochlear implantation meningitis continue to occur annually worldwide, considering the number of new devices implanted each year, it is expected that the incidence of this complication seems to be diminishing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lalwani
authors.forename: Noel L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines