Radiologic and audiological long-term results after treatment with a biohybrid electrode: a case report

Introduction:

The biohybrid electrodes are electrodes coated with autologous mononuclear cells, which should assist the wound healing. Long-term effects such as an ossification of the cochlea has not yet been studied clinically. We report on a patient who was treated bilaterally with a CI for bilateral deafness after chronic otitis media mesotympanalis in 1990 and 2000. In the first revision surgery 3/16 on the right side he received a biohybrid electrode. The second revision operation on the other side was made due to a reduction in speech understanding and an increase in impedances.

Methods:

An audiological diagnosis which also included a speech audiogram and an impedance measurement was performed with die biohybrid electrode. The measurement was carried out 1,3 and 6 months and 1, 2 and 3 years after implantation. DVT of both temporal bones was performed for surgical preparation and compared with DVT preoperatively and directly postoperatively.

Results:

The Freiburger speech test showed preoperatively 0%, 1 and 3 months postoperatively 45%, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively 50% and 3 years postoperatively 55% monosyllable speech understanding at 65 dB SPL. The impedance measurement with the biohybrid electrode was stable over the 3 years. In the DVT of the petrous bone there was no evidence of sclerosis or ossification of the cochlea.

Conclusion:

Due to the proper impedance measurement, the satisfactory and stable speech understanding and the lack of sclerosis/ossification of the cochlea, this electrode with autologous cells should be used as a source of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective factors in challenging cases.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)