[Methods for evaluation of perimodiolar ci electrode arrays in human temporal bones].
BACKGROUND
Cochlear implants (CI) are the established treatment for cochlear deafness. Recently, indications for cochlear implantation have been expanded to include severely hearing-impaired patients. The use of bilateral implants seems to provide additional benefit. Moreover, new electrode designs, i. e. perimodiolar electrode arrays, aim at improving benefit for patients. However, in addition to providing functional improvements, modern electrode array development must also address safety aspects, because damage to the cochlear morphology (especially the osseous spiral lamina) may lead to degeneration of residual neuronal structures and bony obliteration or scarring within the cochlear ducts.


METHODS
Therefore, insertion trauma of the newly developed electrode arrays in human temporal bones must be evaluated before applied to patients. Several methods for testing electrode location and intracochlear trauma are described.


RESULTS
Combining cross-sectional imaging, histological analysis and elements of risk-assessment valid information about trauma and possible consequences for use in patients can be determined, based on our experience in 57 temporal bones.


CONCLUSIONS
Following our results, safety studies with prototype electrode arrays should, in addition to radiological examination, always include careful histomorphological evaluation.
Richter
B
B
Sektion Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie der HNO-Universitätsklinik Freiburg. richter@hno1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Aschendorff
A
A
Nagursky
H
H
Schipper
J
J
Laszig
R
R
Klenzner
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D008867:Microtomy; D012106:Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013701:Temporal Bone; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods