OBJECTIVES: To report the results of cochlear implantation via the middle fossa approach in 4 patients, discuss the complications, and present a detailed description of the programming specifications in these cases. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral center with a well-established cochlear implant program. PATIENTS: Four patients with bilateral canal wall down mastoid cavities who underwent the middle fossa approach for cochlear implantation. INTERVENTIONS: Cochlear implantation and subsequent rehabilitation. A middle fossa approach with cochleostomy was successfully performed on the most superficial part of the apical turn in 4 patients. A Nucleus 24 cochlear implant system was used in 3 patients and a MED-EL Sonata Medium device in 1 patient. The single electrode array was inserted through a cochleostomy from the cochlear apex and occupied the apical, middle, and basal turns. Telemetry and intraoperative impedance recordings were performed at the end of surgery. A CT scan of the temporal bones was performed to document electrode insertion for all of the patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications, hearing thresholds, and speech perception outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Neural response telemetry showed present responses in all but 1 patient, who demonstrated facial nerve stimulation during the test. Open-set speech perception varied from 30% to 100%, despite the frequency allocation order of the MAP. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation via the middle cranial fossa is a safe approach, although it is a challenging procedure, even for experienced surgeons.
OBJECTIVES: To report the results of cochlear implantation via the middle fossa approach in 4 patients, discuss the complications, and present a detailed description of the programming specifications in these cases. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral center with a well-established cochlear implant program. PATIENTS: Four patients with bilateral canal wall down mastoid cavities who underwent the middle fossa approach for cochlear implantation. INTERVENTIONS: Cochlear implantation and subsequent rehabilitation. A middle fossa approach with cochleostomy was successfully performed on the most superficial part of the apical turn in 4 patients. A Nucleus 24 cochlear implant system was used in 3 patients and a MED-EL Sonata Medium device in 1 patient. The single electrode array was inserted through a cochleostomy from the cochlear apex and occupied the apical, middle, and basal turns. Telemetry and intraoperative impedance recordings were performed at the end of surgery. A CT scan of the temporal bones was performed to document electrode insertion for all of the patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications, hearing thresholds, and speech perception outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Neural response telemetry showed present responses in all but 1 patient, who demonstrated facial nerve stimulation during the test. Open-set speech perception varied from 30% to 100%, despite the frequency allocation order of the MAP. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation via the middle cranial fossa is a safe approach, although it is a challenging procedure, even for experienced surgeons.
Authors: Juan Carlos Cisneros Lesser; Rubens Vuono de Brito Neto; Graziela de Souza Queiroz Martins; Ricardo Ferreira Bento Journal: Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2016-04-08