Facial nerve stimulation after cochlear implantation according to types of Nucleus 24-channel electrode arrays.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we concluded that electrode design and location did not have a high level of influence on the prevalence of facial nerve stimulation (FNS) in normal cochleae.


OBJECTIVE
To analysis the prevalence of FNS after cochlear implantation with Nucleus 24-channel devices according to types of electrodes arrays.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed medical and mapping records of 394 patients who received cochlear implants (CIs) manufactured by Cochlear Corporation from April 1999 to March 2007.


RESULTS
In all, 23 of 394 (5.8%) patients had FNS (CI24M 4 of 39 [10.3%], CI24RCS 9 of 192 [4.7%], CI24RST 9 of 21 [42.9%], and CI24RECA 1 of 87 [1.1%]). In addition, 4 of 324 (1.2%) patients with normal cochleae complained of FNS (CI24M 1 of 33 [3.0%], CI24RCS 2 of 173 [1.2%], and CI24RECA 1 of 71 [1.4%]). There was no difference between straight and perimodiolar electrode arrays in patients with normal cochleae. In addition, when comparing two types of Contour electrodes, Contour Advance (soft-tip) electrodes offered significantly lower incidence of FNS than Contour electrode arrays. We could manage these patients with methods such as decrease of C-level, selective channel turning off, and changes of mapping strategies.
Ahn
Joong Ho
JH
Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Oh
Soo Hee
SH
Chung
Jong Woo
JW
Lee
Kwang-Sun
KS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004566:Electrodes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult