Implanting common cavity malformations using intraoperative fluoroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a safe and effective technique for the implantation of common cavity cochleae.


METHODS
Retrospective case review.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Fifteen cochleae in 9 adults and children with common cavity deformities implanted with and without the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy.


METHODS
: Fluoroscopically assisted cochlear implantation.


METHODS
Rates of extracochlear placement, bending, kinking, intrameatal placement, and complications were analyzed. Numbers of electrodes inserted, number of active electrodes, and speech performance were compared between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
Half of the nonfluoroscopy group had suboptimal placement of their electrode arrays. This group also had a higher rate of complications, lower numbers of electrodes implanted, and lower number of active electrodes at follow-up. Results of speech perception testing suggest that fluoroscopically assisted implantation of the common cavity results in improved performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative fluoroscopy is an easy, safe, and effective technique that results in improved outcomes for cochlear implant patients with common cavity deformities.
Coelho
Daniel H
DH
Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Waltzman
Susan B
SB
Roland
J Thomas
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003051:Cochlea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015834:Cochlear Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013060:Speech; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed