Correlation of cochlear nerve cross-sectional area and auditory performance after cochlear implantation in prelingual children with bilateral profound hearing loss.

To assess whether cochlear nerve (CN) cross-sectional area as measured with parasagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in prelingual pediatric deaf patients correlates with auditory performance after cochlear implantation. Prospective Cohort study. Thirty-two prelingual children with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) who received unilateral cochlear implant were included in this study. Diameters of CN at Internal auditory canal (IAC) fundus and mid-point of IAC were retrospectively measured on parasagittal images of FIESTA (Fast Imaging Employing Steady-state Acquisition) sequence MRI by two independent observers. Cross-sectional areas [π (Height/2) (Width/2)] were then correlated with post-operative CAPS (Categories of Auditory Performance) and IT-MAIS (Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale) scores regularly assessed at 3 monthly intervals post device activation. The cochlear nerve was identified in all the 32 patients. Mean cross-sectional areas (CSA) of cochlear nerve were 0.71 ± 0.16 mm There was no significant correlation between the cross-sectional areas of the cochlear nerve on MRI and postoperative auditory scores as measured by CAPS and IT-MAIS scores at six months from the device activation. Hence, we conclude that above an adequate diameter, which can affect the minimum required neurons, the changes in the diameter do not have significant bearing on auditory outcomes after cochlear implantation.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.