The narrow internal auditory canal in children: a contraindication to cochlear implants.
We suggest a new explanation for the lack of auditory response to electric stimulation in children with cochlear implants: the very narrow internal auditory canal, 1 to 2 mm in diameter, and the probable absence of the cochlear nerve. This defect can be seen on high-resolution computed tomographic x-ray studies and may represent aplasia of the auditory-vestibular nerve. We report on eight children with this anomaly, three of whom have received implants and failed to respond with a sensation of sound. Identification of this problem on screening x-ray films is a contraindication to cochlear implantation for auditory stimulation.
Shelton
C
C
Otologic Medical Group, Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90057.
Luxford
W M
WM
Tonokawa
L L
LL
Lo
W W
WW
House
W F
WF
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities