Correlation Between Cochlear Length, Insertion Angle, and Tonotopic Mismatch for MED-EL FLEX28 Electrode Arrays.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between cochlear length, insertion angle, and tonotopic mismatch and to compare the tonotopic mismatches with respect to the spiral ganglion and the organ of Corti.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center with cochlear implant program.

PATIENTS

Analyses of patients' computed tomography images after cochlear implant surgery.

INTERVENTION

Cochlear implantation with 28-mm-long straight lateral wall electrode arrays.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Cochlear length, insertion angle, and insertion depth were assessed using the OTOPLAN software. Tonotopic mismatch for each electrode contact was estimated using the Greenwood (organ of Corti) and the Stakhovskaya (spiral ganglion) maps and compared.

RESULTS

106 cochleae were analyzed. 99% of the electrode arrays were located in the tympanic ramp. The insertion was complete in 96% of cases. The mean cochlear length was 34.5 mm and the mean insertion angle of the apical electrode was 545°. Cochlear length was negatively correlated with the insertion angle of the contacts E1 to E9 (all p < 0.004). The tonotopic mismatch was greater at the organ of Corti than at the spiral ganglion. It was also greater at the organ of Corti in larger cochleae (correlation with mismatch for E1 r = 0.421, p < 0.0001) and in the apical than in the middle and basal regions of the cochlea.

CONCLUSION

Small cochlea size corresponded to higher insertion angle and reduction of tonotopic mismatch on a 28-mm-long straight lateral wall electrode array. Tonotopic mismatch could be minimized preoperatively by choosing electrode arrays according to the individual cochlear morphology and postoperatively by appropriate frequency fitting.