title: Histopathological analysis of a 15-year user of an auditory brainstem implant.
abstract: Auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) can provide highly beneficial hearing sensations to individuals deafened by bilateral vestibular schwannomas (neurofibromatosis type 2). Relatively little is known about the status of stimulated neurons after long-term ABI use. Direct examination of the cochlear nuclear complex (CN) of one 5-year ABI user indicated no deleterious effect. Recently, we examined the brainstem of a patient who used his ABI daily for 15 years with excellent performance. There was good preservation of CN cell size, morphology, and packing density, a very favorable sign considering that a number of infants are now receiving ABIs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communications and Auditory Neuroscience, House Research Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA. otto@hei.org
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Linthicum
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hitselberger
authors.forename: Derald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brackmann
authors.forename: Robert V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Shannon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D038262:Auditory Brain Stem Implants; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors