The Role of Routine Plain Film Imaging Post Cochlear Implantation.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of routine post-op X-ray in cochlear implantation patients.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review study.

Setting: Primary or revision cochlear implant patients who had routine postoperative X-ray (XR) or had planned postoperative computed tomography (CT) due to clinical concerns for array malposition.

Methods: All images were reviewed, and those were considered abnormal if there was a bent tip, kinking, incomplete insertion, or if the electrode array didn't follow the expected cochlear curvature. Postoperative CT scans were performed in patients with abnormal postoperation X-ray, or if there were abnormal surgical findings encountered during insertion which raised the suspicion for suboptimal placement.

Results: A total of 195 patients with a mean age of 64.8 ± 18.9 years were included. XRs were performed in 188 patients and others had CT scan from the beginning. Only 2 out of 188 patients had abnormal findings on XR, which showed malposition of the electrode in one patient and a tip fold over and incomplete insertion in the other one. Both patients with abnormal findings had labyrinthitis ossificans. The patient with tip fold over ultimately underwent re-implantation. Another patient with incomplete insertion had required extended basal turn drilling during implantation, and no additional measures were taken.

Conclusion: Routine XR findings did not provide the reason for additional intervention, and its benefit for patients without demonstrable cochlear abnormalities was minimal. Post-op XR can be informative in selected high risk patients, but CT imaging is a reasonable alternative to better define anatomic array location in patients particularly at risk.