Objective: To describe intracranial complications after cochlear implantation in the pediatric and adult populations.
Study design: Retrospective chart review.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Patients: A chart review of the intracranial complications and their management in 345 patients undergoing cochlear implantation was undertaken.
Interventions: Variables, including age, sex, implant manufacturer, cause of deafness, intraoperative findings, and postoperative complications, were collected and analyzed.
Main outcome measure: Presence of intracranial complication of cochlear implantation.
Results: There were 134 Nucleus-22 (Cochlear, Englewood, CO) devices, 50 Nucleus-24 devices, 118 Med-El (Durham, NC) devices, and 43 Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sylmar, CA) devices in 151 adults and 194 children. There was a 9.3% overall complication rate, with most (59%) being related to device failure. There were three intracranial complications (<1%), two in elderly individuals and one in a child. Two minor dural defects with cerebrospinal fluid leak at the site of the receiver/stimulator recess in Med-El devices were repaired intraoperatively with temporalis fascia. One elderly patient experienced an acute extensive subdural hematoma after Nucleus-24 implantation, which was treated successfully with immediate evacuation.
Conclusion: Intracranial complication rates associated with cochlear implantation are low, although potentially very serious. Surgeons should be aware of intracranial complications, especially in older individuals, and take immediate appropriate action.