Histopathological findings in cochlear implants in cats.

This histopathological study on cats has shown that electrodes may be implanted into the cochlea through the round window or an opening drilled over the middle and apical turns without loss of the spiral ganglion cells or auditory nerve fibres. It has also shown that infection, leading to a labyrinthitis, was more likely to occur when an opening was drilled in the cochlea, and this could lead to a marked destruction of the cochlear structures, and loss of the spiral ganglion cells.