Prevalence and complications of MRI scans of cochlear implant patients : English version.

Abstract

Cochlear implants (CI) are the preferred method of treatment for patients with severe to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and unilateral deafness. For many years, because of the magnetic field applied during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, MRI examinations were contraindicated for CI patients or feasible only under specific circumstances. MRI examinations of CI recipients entail complications and therefore preventive measures have to be considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MRI scans in CI recipients and the occurrence of complications and furthermore to investigate the preventive measures taken in radiological daily routine. Aretrospective questionnaire was sent to 482patients that received CIs from 1999-2013. Details of the MRI examination and subjective and objective incidents during and after the MRI scan were evaluated. A total of 204 CI recipients answered the retrospective questionnaire (42.3 %). Twenty patients (9.8 %) with 23implants underwent atotal of 33MRI scans with their cochlear implant in place. In 16cases the scanned region was the head (49 %). Preventive measures in the form of head bandages were taken in 20cases (61 %). The most common complication was pain in 23cases (70 %) and the most serious complication was the dislocation of the internal magnet in 3cases (9 %). The number of CI recipients undergoing MRI scans is high. Possible complications and preventive measures attract too little attention in radiological daily routine.