[Cochlear implant in congenital malformations].
OBJECTIVE
The main objective is to evaluate the complications and problems encountered in a population with inner ear congenital malformation undergoing cochlear implantation.


METHODS
The present study includes 33 patients with congenital inner ear malformation, from a total population of 346 cochlear implant patients, implanted from February 1993 to March 2004. Radiological evaluation and neurological exams were performed to all these patients in order to evaluate all the preoperative conditions.


RESULTS
The most common cochlear anomalies we found were: cochlear hypoplasia, Incomplete partition and Common cavity (n=15). In 4 cases an enlarge aqueduct was also associated to the cochlear anomaly. We also found 6 cases with labyrinthine anomalies. The surgical procedure was performed in 23 cases, and in 18 of them we obtained an electrical stimulation of the neural elements.


CONCLUSIONS
There are no differences between patients with Incomplete Partition of the cochlea and mild Cochlea hypoplasia, if compared with those with normal cochlea. Severe malformations as Common Cavity or severe hypoplasia may have a higher rate of surgical complications and the outcome cannot be predicted.
Ramos
A
A
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cervico Facial, Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria. ramosorl@idecnet.com
Cervera
J
J
Valdivieso
A
A
Pérez
D
D
Vasallo
J R
JR
Cuyas
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology