Cochlear implant magnet dislocation after MRI: surgical management and outcome

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Cochlear implant (CI) users increasingly undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• MRI can cause magnet displacement in cochlear implants, leading to device non-function.
• Surgical intervention is often required to address magnet displacement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the outcomes of surgical intervention for MRI-induced magnet displacement in CI recipients.
• To evaluate the consequences of magnet displacement on CI users.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 9 patient cases with MRI-induced magnet displacement after cochlear implantation.
• Data collected from patient records at a tertiary referral center between October 2014 and July 2018.

Main Results:

• Nine patients (ages 9-74) experienced MRI-induced magnet displacement; latest MR-conditional devices were not affected.
• Surgical magnet repositioning was successful in 8 out of 9 cases.
• One patient experienced infection and explantation, resulting in 420 days of CI non-use; others averaged 29 days.

Conclusions:

• Surgical magnet repositioning is generally successful with low CI non-use duration.
• Individual cases carry risks of significant medical, functional, social, and economic consequences.
• MRI indication in CI users requires critical consideration and joint assessment by referring physicians and radiologists.