Histologic Evaluation of the Tissue Seal and Biologic Response Around Cochlear Implant Electrodes in the Human

The histologic evidence presented in this study does not support open communication between the middle and the inner ear as part of the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis as a late complication after cochlear implantation. Rather, the finding of a cellular inflammatory response in 12 of 21 temporal bones suggests that late hematogenous contamination and colonization of the implant is a much more likely pathogenic mechanism. This putative mechanism has implications for possible strategies to prevent meningitis after cochlear implantation.