Cochlear implant magnet displacement with minor head trauma.

OBJECTIVES

Manufacturers have introduced cochlear implants (CIs) with removable magnets to allow for magnetic resonance imaging after placement. The purpose of this study was to describe magnet displacement as a new CI complication and to suggest a possible treatment option to prevent its recurrence.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

The records of 3 young males who experienced CI magnet dislodgement were reviewed and compared against records from the institutional implant database.

RESULTS

Magnet displacement was observed only in young males (14% of male children) who received CI with removable magnets. This occurred 13-14 months after CI placement. Magnets were replaced under general anesthesia, and the scalp was bolstered with a dermal allograft. Recurrent magnet dislodgement was encountered in 1 patient, 6 months later.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnet displacement may be a relatively common complication after minor head trauma in pediatric patients with certain CIs that have removable magnets.