title: Facial nerve anomalies in paediatric cochlear implant candidates: radiological evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pre-operative radiological identification of facial nerve anomalies can help prevent intra-operative facial nerve injury during cochlear implantation. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and configuration of facial nerve anomalies and their concurrence with inner-ear anomalies in cochlear implant candidates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inner-ear and concomitant facial nerve anomalies were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and temporal high-resolution computed tomography in 48 children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss who were cochlear implant candidates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inner-ear anomalies were present in 11 out of 48 patients (23 per cent) and concomitant facial nerve anomalies were present on 7 sides in 4 patients (7 per cent of the total). Facial nerve anomalies were accompanied by cochlear or vestibular malformation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential facial nerve abnormalities should always be considered in patients with inner-ear anomalies. Pre-operative facial nerve imaging can increase the surgeon's confidence to plan and perform cochlear implantation. Magnetic resonance imaging should be used to detect inner-ear anomalies; if these are identified, temporal high-resolution computed tomography should be used to evaluate the facial nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology,Uludağ University,Bursa,Turkey.
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Palabiyik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology,Uludağ University,Bursa,Turkey.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hacikurt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology,Uludağ University,Bursa,Turkey.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yazici
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords:  Inner; Child; Ear; Facial Nerve; Radiology