Determination of the position of nucleus cochlear implant electrodes in the inner ear

Accurate determination of intracochlear electrode position in patients with cochlear implants could provide a basis for detecting migration of the implant and could aid in the selection of stimulation parameters for sound processor programming. New computer algorithms for submillimeter resolution an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of otology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 15; no. 5; p. 644
Main Authors Skinner, M W, Ketten, D R, Vannier, M W, Gates, G A, Yoffie, R L, Kalender, W A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.1994
Subjects
Adult
Algorithms
Anthropometry
Cochlear Implants
Ear, Inner - diagnostic imaging
Ear, Inner - ultrastructure
Foreign-Body Migration - diagnostic imaging
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Postoperative Care
Preoperative Care
Reproducibility of Results
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:Accurate determination of intracochlear electrode position in patients with cochlear implants could provide a basis for detecting migration of the implant and could aid in the selection of stimulation parameters for sound processor programming. New computer algorithms for submillimeter resolution and 3-D reconstruction from spiral computed tomographic (CT) scans now make it possible to accurately determine the position of implanted electrodes within the cochlear canal. The accuracy of these algorithms was tested using an electrode array placed in a phantom model. Measurements of electrode length and interelectrode distance from spiral CT scan reconstructions were in close agreement with those from stereo microscopy. Although apparent electrode width was increased on CT scans due to partial volume averaging, a correction factor was developed for measurements from conventional radiographs and an expanded CT absorption value scale added to detect the presence of platinum electrodes and wires. The length of the cochlear canal was calculated from preoperative spiral CT scans for one patient, and the length of insertion of the electrode array was calculated from her postoperative spiral CT scans. The cross-sectional position of electrodes in relation to the outer bony wall and modiolus was measured and plotted as a function of distance with the electrode width correction applied.
ISSN:0192-9763