Open AccessSuccessful Use of a Cochlear Implant in a Patient with Bony Cochlear Nerve Canal Atresia
Author(s) -
Emel Tahir,
Betül Çiçek Çınar,
Hilal Burcu Özkan,
Mehmet Yaralı,
Bilgehan Böke,
Levent Sennaroğlu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of international advanced otology/the journal of international advanced otology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2148-3817
pISSN - 1308-7649
DOI - 10.5152/iao.2020.3766
Subject(s) - medicine , cochlear implant , atresia , cochlear implantation , cochlear nerve , ear canal , audiology , auditory canal , implant , anatomy , cochlea , surgery , radiology
The anatomical cause of congenital sensorineural hearing loss can be atresia of the bony cochlear nerve canal (BCNC). It has been reported that the cochlear nerve (CN) can be either hypoplastic or aplastic when the BCNC width is <1.5 mm radioanatomically. It is difficult to estimate the auditory-verbal abilities after cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with a hypoplastic CN. In such cases, it is also challenging to decide on the best treatment modality: CI or auditory brainstem implantation. In this case report, we present a 4-year-old male patient with BCNC atresia and the successful use of a cochlear implant; we also discussed the importance of audiological evaluation. A detailed radiological evaluation must be performed in every case following electrophysiological studies prior to CI. To accurately diagnose the pathology and select the surgical side, both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans should be used as complementary imaging methods in all CI candidates.