Pediatric and adult cochlear implantation

The frequency of cochlear implantation has increased tremendously over the past decade. Cochlear implantation is often performed as an outpatient procedure and is considered an acceptable treatment for severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in patients who are refractory to conventional hearing augmentation. Imaging plays an important part in the work-up of cochlear implant candidates, and an understanding of imaging evaluation procedures is essential. The radiologist must be familiar with imaging findings that contraindicate implantation (absence of the cochlea or cochlear nerve) and with those that could significantly alter surgery (facial nerve dehiscence, cochlear ossification). It is also imperative to be familiar with the growing number of imaging options (particularly magnetic resonance [MR] imaging pulse sequences) to optimize evaluation of cochlear implant candidates. Imaging choices will be substantially influenced by the manufacturer of the computed tomographic scanner or MR imager. Radiologists will assume an expanding role in evaluating affected patients as the frequency of cochlear implantation continues to increase.