Cochlear implantation after surgery for bilateral jugular foramen paragangliomas: a case report

This paper describes a case of cochlear implantation for deafness due to bilateral glomus jugulare tumors (paragangliomas) as well as an unusual complication after cochlear implantation in a 31-year-old male. A 31-year-old male with profound sensorineural hearing loss on the right side and deafness on the left side, caused by bilateral jugular foramen paragangliomas, was implanted with a multi-channel cochlear implant (Combi 40+, Med-El) on the right side during subtotal petrosectomy for removal of the right-sided glomus jugulare tumor. No postoperative medical complications were observed. The patient responded to acoustic stimuli. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) did not show any misplacement of the electrode. Three years after implantation, an acute, rapidly progressive hearing impairment with pain to acoustic stimuli was observed. A CT scan at that time showed cochlear bone resorption. No radiologic evidence of paraganglioma recurrence was observed. The implant was removed and a biopsy of the cochlea was performed which on histologic examination showed fibrosis without any sign of any tumor recurrence. Cochlear implantation can restore hearing in deafness due to bilateral glomus jugulare tumors. Cochlear resorption may occur as a late complication in the implanted side in the patients.