Auditory Brainstem Implant: surgical technique and early audiological results in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.
Auditory Brainstem Implants were developed to partially restore the hearing capabilities of patients without cochlear nerves bilaterally.


OBJECTIVE
this paper aims to discuss the clinical and surgical findings of four ABI patients.


METHODS
Four patients diagnosed with bilateral schwannomas received auditory brainstem implants (ABI) and had one of their tumors resected in the same surgical procedure. Clinical aspects, surgical technique, anatomic landmarks, and outcomes were analyzed.


RESULTS
the anatomic landmarks were identified in all four patients in relation to the foramina of Luschka. Two patients had CSF leaks. The electrodes were well positioned and hearing sensation was good enough to allow for sound recognition and assist patients perform lip reading.


CONCLUSIONS
the outcomes observed in our patients were quite encouraging and offer great perspectives for those suffering from deep bilateral deafness and impaired central auditory pathways.
Bento
Ricardo Ferreira
RF
Full Professor of Otorhinolaryngology at Faculdade de Medicina da USP.
Neto
Rubens Vuono Brito
RVB
Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology at Faculdade de Medicina da USP.
Tsuji
Robinson Koji
RK
Graduate student, assistant-physician at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic at HC-FMUSP.
Gomes
Marcos Queiroz Telas
MQT
Assistant-physician in the course of Neurosurgery at Faculdade de Medicina da USP.
Goffi-Gomez
Maria Valéria Schmidt
MVS
PhD. Speech and hearing therapist at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic at HC-FMUSP. Course of Otorhinolaryngology at Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo.
D000328:Adult; D038262:Auditory Brain Stem Implants; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*