Senior Scholars Program
Title
Human Otopathologic Findings in Cases of Folded Cochlear Implant Electrodes
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Otolaryngology; School of Medicine; Senior Scholars Program
Faculty Mentor
Aaron Remenschneider
Publication Date
2018-09-01
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Medical Education | Otolaryngology | Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that human cases of cochlear implantation (CI) with folding of the electrode array will demonstrate greater degrees of intracochlear ossification, lower spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) counts, and poorer audiometric outcomes.
BACKGROUND: CI electrode array folding, such folding of the proximal array, is a relatively common surgical complication that can occur with forceful electrode insertion and may be an important and avoidable factor affecting implant outcomes. However, otopathologic findings and audiologic outcomes of human cases where folding of the implant electrode array is observed remain undefined.
METHODS: Specimens from a human temporal bone repository having undergone CI during life were evaluated. Specimens with folding of the electrode array on histological analysis constituted study cases. Electrode-matched specimens without array folding constituted controls. All specimens were examined by light microscopy and histopathologically described. Intracochlear fibrosis and osseous tissue, and SGN counts were measured. Pre- and postoperative word recognition scores were also compared.
RESULTS: Cases with folded electrodes showed greater volumes of intracochlear osseous tissue than controls, which was most prominent in areas adjacent to array folding. Both cases and controls demonstrated similar amounts of fibrous tissue. Folded cases showed decreased SGNs when compared with the contralateral ear, whereas controls showed stable SGN populations between ears. In this small cohort, postoperative hearing outcomes were similar between groups.
CONCLUSION: Atypical fibro-osseous changes and lower SGN counts are observed in cases of CI electrode folding. Future studies are necessary to determine if recognition and correction of folding can prevent long-term intracochlear changes.
Keywords
Cochlear implantation, Electrode folding, Human temporal bone, Otopathology
DOI of Published Version
10.1097/MAO.0000000000001886
Source
Trakimas DR, Kozin ED, Ghanad I, Nadol JB Jr, Remenschneider AK. Human Otopathologic Findings in Cases of Folded Cochlear Implant Electrodes. Otol Neurotol. 2018 Sep;39(8):970-978. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001886. PMID: 30020265; PMCID: PMC6095746. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Otology and neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
30020265
Repository Citation
Trakimas, Danielle R.; Kozin, Elliott D.; Ghanad, Iman; Nadol, Joseph B. Jr.; and Remenschneider, Aaron K., "Human Otopathologic Findings in Cases of Folded Cochlear Implant Electrodes" (2018). University of Massachusetts Medical School. Senior Scholars Program. Paper 296.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/ssp/296
Comments
Danielle Trakimas participated in this study as a medical student in the Senior Scholars research program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.