Scala vestibuli cochlear implantation in patients with partially ossified cochleas

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology 2002-11, Vol.116 (11), p.946-950
• Main Authors: Berrettini, Stefano, Forli, Francesca, Neri, Emanuele, Segnini, Giovanni, Franceschini, Stefano Sellari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: (RF) Otorhinolaryngology; Adult; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Biological and medical sciences; Cochlear Diseases - pathology; Cochlear Diseases - physiopathology; Cochlear Diseases - surgery; Cochlear Implants; Constriction, Pathologic - pathology; Constriction, Pathologic - physiopathology; Constriction, Pathologic - surgery; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Female; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Ossification Heterotopic; Ossification, Heterotopic - pathology; Ossification, Heterotopic - physiopathology; Ossification, Heterotopic - surgery; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Scala Vestibuli; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the ear, the auditive nerve and the facial nerve; Tomography, Spiral Computed; Treatment Outcome; Vestibule, Labyrinth
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1258/00222150260369516

Partial cochlear obstruction is a relatively common finding in candidates for cochlear implants and frequently involves the inferior segment of the scala tympani in the basal turn of the cochlea. In such patients, the scala vestibuli is often patent and offers an alternative site for implantation. The current report describes two patients with such partial obstruction of the inferior segment of the basal cochlear turn, caused in one case by systemic vasculitis (Takayasu’s disease) and in the other by obliterative otosclerosis. A scala vestibuli implantation allowed for complete insertion of the electrode array. No problems were encountered during the surgical procedures and the good post-operative hearing and communicative outcomes achieved were similar to those reported in patients without cochlear ossification. The importance of accurate pre-operative radiological study of the inner ear is underscored, to disclose the presence and define the features of the cochlear ossification and ultimately to properly plan the surgical approach.