Is CMV PCR of inner ear fluid during cochlear implantation a way to diagnose CMV-related hearing loss?

Abstract

Sampling of inner ear fluid during cochlear implant surgery is an interesting, simple and safe way to diagnose CMV-related hearing loss, especially when the diagnosis of congenital infection can no longer be confirmed. However, the sensitivity decreases with age. NCT04724265 What is Known: •Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities and sensorineural hearing loss in children.In the absence of systematic screening at birth, many cCMV infections go undetected and are often undiagnosed despite the development of sensorineural sequelae. • Nearly 40% of indications for cochlear implantation are of unknown etiology. •Performing CMV PCR on inner ear fluid at the time of cochlear implantation is a safe way with high diagnostic performance (PPV = 90%, NPV = 92%) to detect a CMV-related hearing loss. • This sample may be interesting in cases of unknown cause of hearing loss in order to identify undiagnosed cCMV infections.