Cochlear implant histopathology

Twenty-two temporal bones and one brain stem from 13 cochlear implant patients were examined histologically. Sixteen temporal bones had undergone one or more implant procedure. Results of analysis suggested that the ganglion cells were the responding elements to the implant and that useful auditory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of otology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 245
Main Authors Linthicum, Jr, F H, Fayad, J, Otto, S R, Galey, F R, House, W F
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.1991
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Cell Survival
Cochlea - cytology
Cochlea - pathology
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear Nerve - physiopathology
Electric Stimulation - adverse effects
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hearing Disorders - pathology
Hearing Disorders - physiopathology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Spiral Ganglion - cytology
Spiral Ganglion - pathology
Spiral Ganglion - physiopathology
Temporal Bone - pathology
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Summary:Twenty-two temporal bones and one brain stem from 13 cochlear implant patients were examined histologically. Sixteen temporal bones had undergone one or more implant procedure. Results of analysis suggested that the ganglion cells were the responding elements to the implant and that useful auditory sensation could result from as few as 10 percent of the normal number of ganglion cells. All implanted bones exhibited varying amounts of fibrosis (some ossified) in the basal turn of the cochlea and beyond in some cases. Usually there was damage to the surviving elements of the organ of Corti and the dendrites throughout the extent of the electrode insertion. However, the ganglion cell population was not affected. Prolonged electrical stimulation (up to 14 years) did not affect ganglion cell survival in three cases, and had no effect on the cochlear nerves in two cases or on cochlear nuclei in one case.
ISSN:0192-9763