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Cochlear Implantation After Radiotherapy of Vestibular Schwannomas
Luchen Tian1, Niels West1, Per Cayé-Thomasen2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Journal of International Advanced Otology
|October 7, 2021
Summary
Cochlear implantation (CI) is effective for hearing loss in vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients who received radiotherapy. Over 70% achieve good or excellent hearing outcomes, significantly improving quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Audiology
Background:
- Vestibular schwannomas (VS) often cause sensorineural hearing loss (HL).
- Cochlear implantation (CI) is a treatment for profound HL in selected VS patients.
- The effect of radiotherapy on cochlear structures and subsequent CI outcomes is crucial.
Observation:
- A systematic review included 14 papers (33 patients) on CI outcomes after VS radiotherapy.
- Preoperative hearing loss varied from moderate to total deafness.
- A case of CI after stereotactic radiotherapy in a neurofibromatosis type 2 patient was also presented.
Findings:
- Postoperative hearing outcomes after CI in irradiated VS patients ranged from poor (27%) to excellent (19%).
- The majority of patients (over 70%) experienced good or excellent hearing outcomes within 1-2 years.
- Most patients reported improvements in hearing and quality of life.
Implications:
- CI is a viable option for hearing restoration in VS patients previously treated with radiotherapy.
- Subjective quality of life benefits are significant, even with moderate objective hearing results.
- Further research may optimize CI strategies in this patient population.
