Identifying Electrode Migration Post Cochlear Implantation in Children and Its Correlation with Speech Outcome

Sunday, October 12, 2025

8:00 AM - 8:06 AM EDT

Location: 233-234

Disclosure(s):

Aparna Das Padinchere Veedu, MS, MRCS (EDIN), PDF PEDIATRIC ENT:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: This study aims at early identification of electrode migration using imaging, mapping and post operative auditory and speech scores in order to enhance the performance of the implant and its outcome.

Methods: A prospective study involving the bilaterally profound hearing-impaired children who underwent cochlear implantation from January 2021 to February 2024. After a minimum of 6 months of cochlear implantation surgery, a modified Stenver’s view mastoid x- ray and a ‘cochlear view’ mastoid x-ray was done to determine the electrode position, insertion depth and degree of insertion. The electrode position after a period of minimum 6 months was correlated with electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP), impedance, CAP-12 (Categories of auditory performance) score and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) after a minimum of 6 months.

Results: A total of 35 patients were enrolled and studied on an out-patient department basis. The data was analysed using SPSS for Windows [version 26.0, IBM Corp., Armonk]. Out of 35 patients, 3 patients were found to have electrode migration. The cochlear view and modified Stenver’s view were compared and cochlear view was found to be superior. It was found that there was a negative negligible correlation between depth of insertion of implants and auditory scores (r = -0.137; P = 0.43) and speech scores (r = -2.0; P = 0.25) that was not statistically significant. There was a low positive correlation between depth of insertion and postop impedance that was statistically significant (r = 0.36; P = 0.035). In addition, there was no correlation between depth of insertion and postop ECAP .

Conclusions: Electrode migration is a rare but not uncommon complication that may not be easily picked up with ECAP and impedence monitoring in the post operative period warranting a regular imaging such as cochlear view x-ray that is fast, low radiation exposure to children, cheap and gives good electrode visibility and can determine the electrode position, angular insertion depth and electrode migration.

Presenting Author(s)

Aparna Das Padinchere Veedu, MS, MRCS (EDIN), PDF PEDIATRIC ENT

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, (A constituent college of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth) SBV Campus, Pillayarkuppam, Pondy- Cuddalore Main Road, Pondicherry 607402, India.
Pondicherry, Puducherry, India

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Senior Author(s)

Mary John, MS ENT, PhD

Professor and Head , ENT Unit -2
Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
VELLORE, Tamil Nadu, India

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Author(s)

SK

Syed Kamran Asif, MS

Assistant Professor
Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
Vellore, India

Disclosure information not submitted.
AM

Ajoy Mathew Varghese, MS, DNB

Professor - Otorhinolaryngology
Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
Vellore, India

Disclosure information not submitted.
PT

Philip Thomas, MSc

Assistant Professor
Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

Disclosure information not submitted.
SK

Sudha Kiran Das, MD

JSS Medical College, Mysore, India, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
RN

Renata Nappoly, MD

Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.