Prevalence of Endolymphatic Hydrops in Cochlear Implant Candidates with Idiopathic Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective: To determine the prevalence of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in cochlear implant (CI) candidates with idiopathic profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and its influence on the preservation of audiovestibular function after cochlear implantation. Study Design: Prospective case series. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: CI candidates with idiopathic progressive SNHL, but without classic EH-associated symptoms. Interventions: Delayed intravenous gadolinium-enhanced inner ear fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging as well as pure-tone audiograms, video head impulse tests, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials before and 4 weeks after cochlear implantation. Main OutcomeMeasures: Prevalence of EH before cochlear implantation, audiovestibular function before and after surgery in hydropic and nonhydropic ears. Results: Thirty-two ears in 16 CI candidates were included. Nine ears (28%) with EH were detected. Although preoperative hearing thresholds, utricular function, and semicircular canal function were not different between the two groups, saccular function was reduced in hydropic ears. Ten subjects received a unilateral CI. Of these, 3 (30%) showed EH on the implanted side. There was no difference regarding postoperative hearing loss between the two groups, but the results point toward a higher vulnerability of hydropic ears with respect to loss of otolith function after cochlear implantation. Conclusions: This is the first study showing that EH can be assumed in about one third of CI candidates with idiopathic profound SNHL, but no classic EH-associated symptoms. Preliminary results suggest that EH has no influence on the preservation of cochlear function but could be a risk factor for loss of otolith function after cochlear implantation.

Automated summary

This study investigates the prevalence of endolymphatic hydrops in candidates for cochlear implantation with profound sensorineural hearing loss and its impact on audiovestibular function. The results suggest that around one third of candidates have endolymphatic hydrops, but it does not affect cochlear function preservation and may increase the risk of loss of otolith function after cochlear implantation.