Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Aug;278(8):2763-2767.
doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-06349-1. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Effect of head position on cochlear implant MRI artifact

N Ay  1 , H B Gehl  2 , H Sudhoff  1 , I Todt  3
Affiliations

Effect of head position on cochlear implant MRI artifact

N Ay et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose: A new generation of cochlear implant (CI) magnets and specific surgical techniques (e.g., implant positioning) has changed the relationship between a CI and magnet resonance imaging (MRI). MRI allows a pain free in vivo evaluation of the inner ear fluid state and internal auditory canal after the insertion of an electrode. The aim of this study is to evaluate how the patient's head position in the MRI scanner influences the CI magnet-related artefact.

Methods: We performed in vivo measurement of MRI artefacts at 3 T with a CI system containing a bipolar diametrical magnet. The implant magnet was positioned with a head bandage at different positions from the nasion and external auditory canal in three volunteers. We used a turbo spin echo (TSE) T2w sequence on the axial and coronal planes and observed three positions: (1) regular position, (2) chin to chest (anteflexion), and (3) hyperextension (retroflexion).

Results: By comparing the positions, anteflexion of the cervical spine in a chin-to-chest position allowed us to place the artefact in a more apical position from the IAC in the coronal plane. The hyperextension of the cervical spine position shifts the artefact father towards the cochlea's direction.

Conclusion: The head's position can influence the location of MRI artefacts. In cases where the artefact diminished the IAC or cochlea, anteflexion of the cervical spine in the chin-to-chest position of the head in the MRI scanner should be attempted to allow a visualization of the IAC.

Keywords: Cochlear implant; Complication; Head position; Internal auditory canal; MRI artefact.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Portnoy WM, Mattucci K (1991) Cochlear implants as a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 100(3):195–197 - DOI
    1. Grupe G, Wagner J, Hofmann S, Stratmann A, Mittmann P, Ernst A et al (2016) Prevalence and complications of MRI scans of cochlear implant patients. HNO 64(3):156–162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-016-0128-8 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Hassepass F, Stabenau V, Maier W, Arndt S, Laszig R, Beck R, Aschendorff A (2014) Revision surgery due to magnet dislocation in cochlear implant patients: an emerging complication. OtolNeurotol 35(1):29–34. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182a5d2c5 - DOI
    1. Bo GK, Jin WK, Jeong JP, Kim SH, Kim HN, Choi JY (2015) Adverse events and discomfort during magnetic resonance imaging in cochlear implant recipients. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 141(1):45–52. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2014.2926 - DOI
    1. Todt I, Tittel A, Ernst A, Mittmann P, Mutze S (2017) Pain free 3 T MRI scans in cochlear implantees. Otol Neurotol 38(10):e401–e404. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000001569 - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources