The role of post-operative imaging in cochlear implant surgery: a review of 220 adult cases

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of abnormal radiological findings after cochlear implantation and their effect on clinical outcomes.

METHODS: Retrospective review of 220 adult cochlear implants. Clinical records and post-operative plain X-rays were reviewed and compared with pre-operative and 6-month post-operative City University of New York (CUNY) speech scores.

RESULTS: There were no cases of extra-cochlear array misplacement. Imaging showed 20 cases of incomplete array insertion (9.2%), 3 cases of kinking of the array (1.4%), 2 cases of tip rollover (0.9%), and 1 case of apparent array fracture (0.5%). Patient management was not altered by abnormal imaging. Patients with abnormal radiological findings had slightly minor improvements (median 39 vs. 56%) in City University of New York (CUNY) speech discrimination scores at 6 months (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.043).

CONCLUSION: All abnormalities on post-operative imaging were minor and did not alter patient management. The future role of post-operative imaging is discussed.