Comparison of two MRI imaging techniques before cochlear implant (CI) surgery

Before cochlear implant (CI) surgeries, MRI scans of the brain and inner ear are performed. This study compares two MRI protocols of different scopes in terms of clinical benefit and the detection of relevant incidental findings or exclusion criteria prior to CI implantation. A standard protocol ("lean protocol") prior to CI implantation was compared to a standard protocol that had been expanded to include a native T1 and post-contrast of the entire neurocranium ("expanded protocol"). A total of 304 consecutive patients were evaluated in the period from 2010 to 2020 in terms of the type of protocol applied and clinical benefits for the patient. For this purpose, incidental findings were categorized and examined for clinical relevance and impact on CI implantation. Furthermore, it was investigated whether the standard protocol is sufficient to proceed with CI implantation or whether an expanded standard protocol is necessary. In the evaluation of the statistical comparisons, the quantity of diagnosed incidental findings, category of diagnosed incidental findings, and relevance concerning CI implantation were considered. In all parameters, there was no significant difference between the protocols (p>0.05). This was the same for the overall collective, as well as the collective of adults and children. The number of patients, for whose final diagnosis the expanded protocol is necessary, represent only 2.3% of the entire collective. All incidental findings could be identified using the standard protocol and were directed to further diagnostics. Therefore, the original protocol is sufficient for initial diagnostics. It reliably identifies those who need more extensive diagnostics.

 

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. April 2024