PRZODUJĄCA ZATOKA ESOWATA I ZASTOSOWANIE PODKŁADEK DYSTANSUJĄCYCH DO IMPLANTU BONEBRIDGE – OPIS PRZYPADKU

Abstract

BackgroundThe Bonebridge bone conduction implant (BCI) is used in cases of conductive, mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness. The system can be implanted in the mastoid process pre- or retrosigmoidally. Presigmoid placement tends to reduce the number of subsequent implantations. The use of new refinements – such as spacers called BCI lifts, which facilitate adjustment during surgery – broadens the applicability of Bonebridge to a larger group of patients.Case reportThis case study presents a 58-year-old female patient with bilateral chronic otitis media who had undergone several operations in the past and who qualified for a Bonebridge implant. During surgery, a lift for the lower screw of the bone-conduction floating mass transducer (BC-FMT) was used because of an anterior course of the sigmoid sinus. We analysed hearing results before and 3 months after the surgery. The results indicated stable bone conduction thresholds and improved hearing and speech recognition after implantation.ConclusionsThe Bonebridge system is an effective treatment for hearing loss caused by chronic otitis media in cases where classic otosurgery cannot be performed. Difficult conditions during surgery, as caused by an anterior sigmoid sinus, can limit the use of the Bonebridge. In such cases use of a lift can widen implantation options.