AUDIOVESTIBULAR AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOME OF ADULTS WHO HAD RECOVERED FROM CHILDHOOD BACTERIAL-MENINGITIS

A sample of 22 subjects was studied from a population of adults who ha d suffered from bacterial meningitis in childhood. Audiovestibular, oc ulomotor and neuropsychological investigations were performed and qual ity of life was assessed. An age-matched control group of 20 subjects was recruited. In the meningitis group, nine subjects had abnormal pur e tone audiograms. One was previously undiagnosed and a progression wa s found in four. There was an overrepresentation of subclinical vestib ular pathology (6 out of 9 (67%)) in this group. Audiovestibular test results showed a peripheral pattern and oculomotor tests were normal. The quality of life scores of those with hearing loss were significant ly higher than those in the control group. Neuropsychological tests of brain dysfunction were abnormal in six out of 22 (27%) who had recove red from meningitis. The prevalence of such dysfunctions was not relat ed to audiovestibular disorder. The quality of life scores of those wi th brain dysfunctions were similar to those of the control group. The findings of reduced auditory memory and tone level perception in four out of 22 (18%), suggest that lesions of central auditory pathways may follow from bacterial meningitis. The results support the idea that i nner ear damage is the major cause of hearing loss after bacterial men ingitis. Despite the absence of brainstem involvement, central nervous system lesions with disturbed auditory processing and language functi ons can be of significance. The high frequency of discrete brain dysfu nctions indicate that a thorough neuropsychological investigation is r equired after bacterial meningitis. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.