Clinical Features and Solutions of Facial Nerve Stimulation after Cochlear Implantation in Deaf Children.
- Author:
Sun O CHANG
1
;
Byung Yoon CHOI
;
Sung Lyong HONG
;
Hyoung Mi KIM
;
Min Hyun PARK
;
Jae Jun SONG
;
Seung Ha OH
;
Chong Sun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. suno@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Facial nerve;
Cochlear implantation;
Inner ear;
anomalies
- MeSH:
Child*;
Clinical Coding;
Cochlear Implantation*;
Cochlear Implants*;
Ear, Inner;
Electrodes;
Facial Nerve*;
Humans;
Medical Records;
Parents;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2006;49(4):371-377
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Facial nerve stimulation (FNS) as a complication of cochlear implantation can produce significant discomfort, limit effective use of cochlear implant, and require extensive reprogramming in some patients. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical features of children with FNS after cochlear implantation and to discuss its possible solutions. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirteen children who had FNS after cochlear implantation were included. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively regarding the presence of inner ear anomaly (IEA), the programming techniques for cochlear implant, timing and progression of FNS, and the management of it. RESULTS: Ten out of 13 children (76.9%) with FNS had IEA. In those 10 patients with IEA, FNS appeared within 6 months from the operation and showed a tendency of being relevant to all electrodes. Authors used four methods to eliminate FNS. They included (a) turning off the specific electrodes when FNS seems related to some specific electrodes, (b) changing the coding strategy or the programming mode, which proved not to be effective, (c) reducing the C-level, which resulted in severe narrowing of dynamic range as well as a relative control of FNS, and (d) surgical exploration in specific cases. CONCLUSION: FNS after CI is at greater risk for IEA. FNS in those cases can interfere with the progression of speech development. This should be sufficiently informed of the parents of CI candidates with IEA preoperatively. Surgical exploration can be reserved for elimination of FNS in specific cases.
