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Enhancing Electrode Location Assessment in Cochlear Implantation via Computed Tomography Image Fusion
Published on: January 17, 2025
The role of preoperative imaging for cochlear implantation in postlingually deafened adults
Seth R Schwartz1, Brian S Chen
1*Division of Otology, Neurotology & Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle; and †Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A.
Background:
Preoperative imaging is standard practice for cochlear implant candidacy. Postlingually deafened adults rarely have temporal bone abnormalities that alter management.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
To determine the role of preoperative imaging for cochlear implantation in postlingually deafened adults. We hypothesize that imaging does not alter management in the absence of history or physical examination findings suggestive of an anatomic abnormality.
Study Design:
Nested case-control study.
Methods:
We identified postlingually deafened adults with preoperative imaging and cochlear implantation at our institution from 1995 to 2008. Controls had a negative history and normal exam. Cases had suggestive history or exam. Imaging studies and operative records were reviewed.
Results:
Approximately 164 patients met inclusion criteria-59 cases and 109 controls. Mean age at onset of hearing loss was 30.4 years (range, 0-73 yr), mean age at onset of deafness was 54.1 years (range, 9-89 yr), and mean age at implantation was 61.5 years (range, 20.6-89.7 yr). Twenty cases (34%) and 17 controls (16%) had abnormal imaging (p = 0.001). Six cases (8.5%) and 2 controls (1.8%) had changes in their management as a result of the imaging findings (p = 0.023). Both control patients had incidentally detected acoustic neuromas, which altered the side of the cochlear implantation. There was a strong association between preoperative history and exam findings and abnormality on imaging (p = 0.007). Abnormalities were 3 times more likely in patients with a positive history or exam (OR = 2.98; 95% CI, 1.36-6.54).
Conclusion:
In patients with a negative history and examination, imaging rarely alters management. MRI may detect incidental vestibular schwannomas in patients with asymmetric hearing losses.
Level Of Evidence:
3b, Individual case-control study.
