[Implication of cochlear implantation in patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the intraoperative obstacles and post-operative outcomes of cochlear implantation in children with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome.

Methods: Between May 1995 and June 2002, 10 patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome received cochlear implantation in Pekin Union Medical College Hospital. The clinical records of 10 cases of enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Via cochleostomy pulsatile clear fluid gusher occurred in 8 cases, which were easily controlled by quickly inserting the electrode array and sealing the cochleostomy with muscle tissue in each instance. The implant was inserted without difficulty in all patients. There have been no post-operatively complications, and audiologic outcome of the 10 patients with cochlear implantation were almost the same as the other patients without inner ear malformations. Five cases of them can even speak better than the other prelingual deafness that may be attributed in part to postlingual deafness.

Conclusions: Despite pulsatile clear fluid gusher in cochlear implantation, no post-operatively complications have been found, and the outcome of these 10 patients with cochlear implantation was excellent. Cochlear implantation can be safely and effectively performed in patients with profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) associated with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome.