Vol.97 No.8 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 97 No. 8 August 2004
Two Cases of Effective Cochlear Implantations
for Deafness Following Mumps
Shu Kikuta, Kozo Kumakawa and Masaaki Yamane
(Toranomon Hospital)
Eikichi Tokunaga
(Ageo Central General Hospital)
While it is well known that mumps is a potential cause of deafness, it is not generally appreciated that it can produce total deafness. The damage is usually unilateral but bilateral disorder has been recorded. Deafness following mumps is usually severe and generally permanent. Only a mumps vaccination prevents deafness. Two cases are presented with severe bilateral hearing loss following mumps in spite of intensive conventional therapies. A 5 year-old female without natural infections of mumps or mumps vaccination already had bilateral deafness on hospitalization. She had no vestibular symptoms. After 5 months, she had cochlear implantation therapy. A 26 year-old woman without natural infections of mumps or mumps vaccination had bilateral progressive deafness in 2 weeks and temporary vestibular symptoms. After 6 months, she also had cochlear implantation therapy. The hearing ability of both cases after operation was very satisfactory owing to no complications (otitis media or malformation), enough inserting channels and comprehensive rehabilitations. We emphasize the importance of mumps vaccination and recommend a cochlear implant therapy for bilateral total deafness following mumps.
Key words : cochlear implantation, deafness, mumps