CI-Magnetdislocation following MRI: Surgical Management and Outcome

An MRI scan, up to 1,5 Tesla, is an approved procedure for cochlear implant (CI) patients, taking into account the prescribed protective measures (compression bandage), for the majority of CI products. Nevertheless, in the meantime, individual cases of magnetic dislocations due to MRI have identified.

The aim of our study was therefore to examine the occurred magnetic dislocations, the surgical management and the duration of non-use of the implant.

We were able to detect magnetic dislocation in 9 patients (8x Cochlear Corp., 1x Advanced Bionics) following an MRI scan. An operative magnetic repositioning was uncomplicated in 8 cases, so that the duration of non-use of the CI (MRI to reinstallation processor) was 5 weeks (min 1.6 weeks and max 13.5 weeks). In one case, there was a wound healing disorder, which eventually led to an explantation of the CI. In this case, the implant could not be used after re-implantation until more than one year (13 months).

In summary, the results of the study confirm that critical case- and implant-type-dependent indications continue to be required in patients with cochlear implants, as MRI led to considerable periods of disuse of the implant and even to explantation. In non of the cases the MRI examination was never indicated by an ENT-clinic (2x head, 4 x lumbar spine and 1 x thorax, knee, hand), so that in individual cases critically with regard to alternative methods (eg CT) should be questioned. Our investigation is an important contribution to long-term quality assurance in the aftercare of CI-treated patients.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)