[Growth behavior of spiral ganglion explants on cochlear implant electrodes and their materials].
BACKGROUND
With the increasing use of cochlear implants (CIs), the insertion of alloplastic material into the inner ear is nowadays an established treatment for severe to profound hearing loss in children and adults. Beyond its widespread use, the biocompatibility of the CI electrode and its interaction with the neural structures of the cochlea is not yet established.


METHODS
To investigate the survival and growth behavior of spiral ganglion neurons on different CI materials, spiral ganglion explants from newborn rats were cultured on silicone and platinum, on a surface combination of silicone and platinum, and, finally, on a CI electrode.


RESULTS
The results of this study indicate that the growth of spiral ganglion neurons in vitro is strongly influenced by the different materials and their arrangement, with platinum exhibiting the highest degree of biocompatibility with respect to neurite extension. Level differences in the surface structure between silicone and platinum lead to inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, the culturing of spiral ganglion explants on a CI electrode leads to neurite sprouting toward the electrodes made of platinum.


CONCLUSIONS
The biocompatibility of CI materials with spiral ganglion neurons was shown in this study, but it differs with different CI materials. Besides the material itself, the arrangement of the materials can affect the neurite extension.
Hansen
S
S
St-Elisabeth-Hospital, Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bleichstrasse 15, 44787 Bochum. stefan.hansen@rub.de
Mlynski
R
R
Volkenstein
S
S
Stark
T
T
Schwaab
M
M
Dazert
S
S
Brors
D
D
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D008839:Microelectrodes; D010984:Platinum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013136:Spiral Ganglion / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D010984:Platinum