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82nd Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

01.06. - 05.06.2011, Freiburg

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Does the type of electrode used in cochlear implantation influence the occurrence of postoperative vertigo? A prospective study

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  • corresponding author Stephen Grigoleit - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
  • Boris Wieselman - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
  • Burkhard Schwab - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie. 82. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie. Freiburg i. Br., 01.-05.06.2011. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2011. Doc11hnod342

doi: 10.3205/11hnod342, urn:nbn:de:0183-11hnod3423

Published: April 19, 2011

© 2011 Grigoleit et al.
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Outline

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Background: Vertigo symptoms after cochlea implant procedures have been reported with and incidence of as little as 5–9% (Shoman et al 2008) to as much as 45% (Krause et al 2009). Basta et al (2008) used vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) to determine that the majority of vertigo symptoms in a relatively small study group (n=18) were a result of impaired saccular function. This however has been supported in further studies which attribute persistent vertigo to saccular dysfunktion whereas short term or transient symptoms are attributed to various origins within the vestibular organ (Licameli et al 2008). Prolonged and/or severe impairment due to vertigo is still rare after CI operations. Most studies rely on several vestibular tests as well as questionnaires from patients. To our knowledge there has not been a prospective study carried out designed to compare the incidence of new onset of vertigo with the type of electrode implanted.

Objective: to determine the influence of the type of electrode used on postoperative vertigo after cochlea implantation (CI).

Setting: Cochlear implant centre at a tertiary referral university hospital, Hanover, Germany.

Study design: a prospective observational study.

Methods: Patients are required to fill out a preoperative und postoperative questionnaire regarding vertigo symptoms. All patients undergo pre- and postoperative caloric electronystagmography and computerized dynamic posturography, subjective visual vertigo and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) tests. The occurrence of new vertigo symptoms and whether or not there is an objectively determined vestibular injury are recorded by the follow-up physician during the initial CI activation.

Supported by: Professor Thomas Lenarz, M.D., Ph.D.