Cochlear implant magnet displacement with minor head trauma.
OBJECTIVE
Manufacturers have introduced cochlear implants (CIs) with removable magnets to allow for magnetic resonance imaging after placement. The purpose of this study was to describe magnet displacement as a new CI complication and to suggest a possible treatment option to prevent its recurrence.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
The records of 3 young males who experienced CI magnet dislodgement were reviewed and compared against records from the institutional implant database.


RESULTS
Magnet displacement was observed only in young males (14% of male children) who received CI with removable magnets. This occurred 13-14 months after CI placement. Magnets were replaced under general anesthesia, and the scalp was bolstered with a dermal allograft. Recurrent magnet dislodgement was encountered in 1 patient, 6 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnet displacement may be a relatively common complication after minor head trauma in pediatric patients with certain CIs that have removable magnets.
Yun
James M
JM
Departments of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0264, USA.
Colburn
Michelle W
MW
Antonelli
Patrick J
PJ
D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012042:Registries; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome