Electrode array misplacement into the superior semicircular canal: as a rare complication of cochlear implantation

To report electrode array misplacement into the superior semicircular canal occurring as an rare complication of cochlear implantation through round window insertion, and to explore the causative association between electrode array misplacement and cochlear implantation surgical techniques.

A chart review of the electrode array misplacement into the superior semicircular canal and their management in 695 patients undergoing cochlear implantation was undertaken from January 2003 and January 2014 in Anhui Provincial Hospital.

There were two children of electrode array misplacement into the superior semicircular canal complication, and the rate was 0.28%.

Electrode array misplacement into the superior semicircular canal associated with cochlear implantation is rare. Surgeons should be aware of that the smaller round window maybe the reason of electrode array misplacement through round window insertion. Intra-operative neural response telemetry and X-ray can alert the surgeon the problem with the array's misplacement, which can be identified by postoperative CT.