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Review
. 2019 Nov 13;4(6):678-683.
doi: 10.1002/lio2.329. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Intracochlear fibrosis and the foreign body response to cochlear implant biomaterials

Megan J Foggia  1 , Rene Vielman Quevedo  1 , Marlan R Hansen  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Intracochlear fibrosis and the foreign body response to cochlear implant biomaterials

Megan J Foggia et al. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. .

Abstract

Objective: To report current knowledge on the topic of intracochlear fibrosis and the foreign body response following cochlear implantation (CI).

Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed to identify peer-reviewed articles. Search components included "cochlear implant," "Foreign body response (FBR)," and "fibrosis." Original studies and review articles relevant to the topic were included.

Results: Ninety peer-reviewed articles describing the foreign body response or intracochlear fibrosis following CI were included.

Conclusions: Intracochlear fibrosis following CI represents a significant limiting factor for the success of CI users. Several strategies have been employed to mitigate the foreign body response within the cochlea including drug delivery systems and modifications in surgical technique and electrode design. A better understanding of the FBR has the potential to improve CI outcomes and the next generation of cochlear prostheses.

Keywords: biomaterials; cochlear implant; fibrosis; foreign body response; impedance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr Hansen is a co‐founder and Chief Medical Officer of Iotamotion, Inc. All other authors of this work declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A, Schematic of the foreign body response to cochlear implantation. Cochlear section from a CX3CR1/Thy1‐YFP C57BL6 mouse euthanized at day 8 post cochlear implantation, showing increased total cell and macrophage counts in the scala tympani. B, Cell nuclei are labeled bleu (Hoechst stain), macrophages green (CX3CR1‐GFP), and neurons yellow (Thy1‐YFP). C, Richardson's stain demonstrating the FBR after CI in a mouse cochlear section. Inflammatory cells and fibrosis can be seen along the electrode tract in the scala tympani. CI, cochlear implantation; FBR, foreign body response
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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