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Cochlear nerve aplasia: its importance in cochlear implantation
A P Maxwell1, S M Mason, G M O'Donoghue
1Nottingham Paediatric Cochlear Implant Programme, Ropewalk House, United Kingdom.
The American Journal of Otology
|May 25, 1999
Summary
Assessing neural integrity is crucial for cochlear implantation. Electrophysiologic testing can help determine suitability for auditory nerve stimulation before implantation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Peripheral auditory system neural integrity assessment is vital for cochlear implantation.
- Evaluating cases with questionable neural integrity requires specialized techniques.
Observation:
- A child with profound sensorineural hearing loss presented with narrow internal auditory canals and abnormal acousticofacial bundles.
- Cochlear implantation in the right ear resulted in facial nerve stimulation but no auditory sensation.
Findings:
- Postoperative electrophysiologic testing revealed only a compound muscle action potential.
- Electrical auditory nerve action potential and auditory brainstem response are valuable for assessing neural integrity.
Implications:
- These electrophysiologic measurements can guide decisions regarding cochlear implant candidacy.
- This case highlights the importance of pre-operative neural integrity assessment in pediatric audiology.