Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Publication Date

4-1-2024

Journal

Otology & Neurotology

DOI

10.1097/MAO.0000000000004127

PMID

38361317

PMCID

PMC10940186

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

4-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Objective: To determine if cochlear implant (CI) is safe and effective in patients with radiation therapy (XRT)-induced sensorineural hearing loss and to discuss considerations in this population through a retrospective cohort review, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

Databases reviewed: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all CI cases after head and neck (HN) XRT at our institution, noting intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and hearing outcomes. Change in speech discrimination scores (SDSs) was the primary outcome measure. Systematic review was performed to identify all cases of CI after HNXRT. A meta-analysis was performed to assess SDS change.

Results: The retrospective cohort review identified 12 patients who underwent CI after HNXRT. One patient with HN cancer (HNC) and one with central nervous system pathology (CNSP) received bilateral implants. Six had HNC, three had CNSP, and one had Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Eleven had abnormal findings during CI. There were no postoperative complications. Twenty articles with an additional 97 patients were suitable for systematic review inclusion. Of the 109 patients, 67 (61.5%) had HNC and 18 (16.5%) had CNSP. Abnormal intraoperative findings were common (30.3%), most frequently in the mastoid (66.7%). Postoperative complications, including wound dehiscence and infection with some requiring explantation, occurred in 10.1% of patients. Sixty-six patients were included in the meta-analysis. All demonstrated SDS improvement (mean increase, 56.2%).

Conclusion: Patients with prior HNXRT benefit from CI. Paying careful attention to surgical planning and technique, postoperative care, and patient expectations is imperative, as complications are not uncommon.

Keywords

Humans, Cochlear Implantation, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Male, Middle Aged, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Female, Aged, Retrospective Studies, Treatment Outcome, Adult, Radiotherapy, Postoperative Complications

Published Open-Access

yes

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