Stability of the cochlear implant array in children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine cochlear implant electrode stability in the young patient. Electrode migration due to future skull growth was a concern that led to prohibiting implantation in children less than 2 years of age. Recently, the high level of performance achieved by young implantees has led to a re-evaluation of this lower age limit, requiring an assessment of the effects of skull growth over time.


METHODS
Prospective radiographic analysis of electrode position of cochlear implants in young children.


METHODS
Twenty-seven children implanted with the Nucleus (Cochlear Corp., Denver, CO) or Clarion (Advanced Bionics Inc., Sylmar, CA) multi-channel cochlear prostheses were subjects for this study. Follow-up radiographic studies were obtained for a period of 1 month to 5 years after implantation. The age at time of implantation ranged from 14 months to 5 years. An intraoperative modified Stenver's view plain radiograph was obtained as a baseline. After implantation, on a yearly basis transorbital Stenver's and base views were obtained for comparative purposes. Additional radiographs were obtained whenever a change in performance or electrode map caused suspicion for extrusion. Electrode position was determined using a computer graphics enhancement technique whereby image contrast filters enhanced the visibility of the electrode array and surrounding bony structures.


RESULTS
An analysis of the data revealed no migration of the electrode array over time.


CONCLUSIONS
The confirmation of the stability of the electrode array alleviates the concern of the effects of skull growth on cochlear implantation in young children.
Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
J T
JT
Roland
A J
AJ
Fishman
S B
SB
Waltzman
G
G
Alexiades
R A
RA
Hoffman
N L
NL
Cohen
D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging