Intracochlear New Fibro-Ossification and Neuronal Degeneration Following Cochlear Implant Electrode Translocation: Long-Term Histopathological Findings in Humans

Objective: We aim to assess the histopathology of human temporal bones (TBs) with evidence of cochlear implantation (CI) electrode scalar translocation. Study Design: Otopathology study. Setting: Otopathology laboratory. Patients: TBs from patients who had a history of CI and histopathological evidence of interscalar translocation. Specimens with electrode placed entirely within the ST served as controls. Intervention: Histopathological assessment of human TBs. Main Outcome Measures: TBs from each patient were harvested postmortem and histologically analyzed for intracochlear changes in the context of CI electrode translocation and compared to controls. Intracochlear new fibro-ossification, and spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) counts were assessed. Postoperative word recognition scores (WRS) were also compared. Results: Nineteen human TBs with electrode translocation and eight controls were identified. The most common site of translocation was the ascending limb of the basal turn (n = 14 TBs). The average angle of insertion at the point of translocation was 159 degrees +/- 79 degrees. Eighteen translocated cases presented moderate fibroosseous changes in the basal region of the cochlea, extending to the translocation point and/or throughout the electrode track in 42%. Lower SGN counts were more pronounced in translocated cases compared to controls, with a significant difference for segment II (p = 0.019). Although final postoperative hearing outcomes were similar between groups, translocated cases had slower rate of improvement in WRS (p = 0.021). Conclusions: Cochlear implant electrode translocation was associated with greater fibroosseous formation and lower SGN population. Our findings suggest that scalar translocations may slow the rate of improvement in WRS overtime as compared to atraumatic electrode insertions.

Automated summary

This study assessed the histopathology of human temporal bones with cochlear implantation electrode scalar translocation. The findings suggest that translocation may result in increased fibroosseous formation and decreased spiral ganglion neuron counts, leading to a slower rate of improvement in word recognition scores.