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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
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Performing Intracochlear Electrocochleography During Cochlear Implantation
Published on: March 8, 2022
Cochlear implantation in the irradiated temporal bone
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7600, USA.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|October 17, 2006
Summary
Cochlear implantation is feasible in patients with bilateral temporal bone osteoradionecrosis, even after extensive surgery. This hearing restoration offers excellent speech understanding, suggesting central auditory pathways remain viable post-radiation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Audiology
Background:
- Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone presents significant challenges for hearing restoration.
- Cochlear implantation is a potential option for profound hearing loss in these complex cases.
Observation:
- A case report details a 66-year-old woman with bilateral temporal bone osteoradionecrosis post-tonsillar cancer treatment.
- The patient underwent cochlear implantation on an ear with prior canal wall down mastoidectomy, temporal bone resection, and free flap reconstruction.
- Surgical findings included a dehiscent facial nerve and fibrosis, but minimal cochlear reaction allowed full electrode insertion.
Findings:
- The patient achieved a 54% consonant-nucleus-consonant word score at three months post-implantation.
- This demonstrates successful open-set speech understanding with the cochlear implant.
Implications:
- Cochlear implantation is feasible in select patients with radiation-induced hearing loss and temporal bone osteoradionecrosis.
- Careful surgical planning is crucial to mitigate risks like wound healing complications, electrode insertion issues, and facial nerve injury.
- Radiation may not always preclude successful central auditory pathway function for hearing rehabilitation.
