Recurrent meningitis secondary to perilymph fistula in young children.

Abstract

All young children treated for meningitis should have post-treatment evoked potential audiometry. If neurosensory hearing loss is identified, the clinician should be alerted to the possibility of a perilymph fistula as the cause of the meningitis. Radiology of the inner ear and possibly exploratory tympanotomy may be necessary to rule out a perilymph fistula. Two young children with meningitis secondary to perilymph fistula are presented to illustrate the problems of diagnosis and management.