[Evaluation with functional magnetic resonance imaging in 1 case of cochleovestibular nerve malformation in children before cochlear implantation and review of the literature].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of cochlear implantation by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a patient with cochleovestibular nerve hypoplasia.


METHODS
Audiometry, radiological examination and fMRI of the auditory cortex were performed to a 15-year-old boy with bilateral hearing loss before cochlear implantation.


RESULTS
Results of pure tone audiometry and auditory brainstem responses showed profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Transiently evoked otoacoustic emission was absent on both sides. High resolution computed tomography revealed the inner ear malformation (incomplete partition I) on both side. Oblique sagittal reconstruction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the malformation of cochleovestibular nerve, fMRI demonstrated the activation of the right primary auditory cortex during 1-kHz monaural stimulation on the left side. No cortical activation appeared during the monaural right acoustic stimulation using the same sound pressure level. The child had subjective auditory response 1 month after cochlear implantation on his left side.


CONCLUSIONS
fMRI would be an effective measure in the assessments for the cochlear implantation candidates, combining with audiometry and radiological examination, especially when MRI shows cochleovestibular nerve malformation in these patients.
Cheng
Lan
L
Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
Yang
Jun
J
Wu
Hao
H
Huang
Qi
Q
Cao
Wenjun
W
Li
Yuhua
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000503:physiopathology*