The role of post-operative imaging in cochlear implant surgery: A review of 220 adult cases

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the incidence of abnormal radiological findings after cochlear implantation and their effect on clinical outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective review of 220 adult cochlear implants. Clinical records and post-operative plain X-rays were reviewed and compared with pre-operative and 6-month post-operative City University of New York (CUNY) speech scores.

Results

There were no cases of extra-cochlear array misplacement. Imaging showed 20 cases of incomplete array insertion (9.2%), 3 cases of kinking of the array (1.4%), 2 cases of tip rollover (0.9%), and 1 case of apparent array fracture (0.5%). Patient management was not altered by abnormal imaging. Patients with abnormal radiological findings had slightly minor improvements (median 39 vs. 56%) in City University of New York (CUNY) speech discrimination scores at 6 months (Mann–Whitney U test, P = 0.043).

Conclusion

All abnormalities on post-operative imaging were minor and did not alter patient management. The future role of post-operative imaging is discussed.

Keywords:

• Cochlear implants
• Post-operative period
• Radiography
• Electrode array placement
• Speech discrimination tests
• Hearing loss

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Dawn Webster, former audiologist at North Bristol Hospitals NHS Trust, for help in data collection.