ABSTRACT
The incidence of preoperative damage to the facial nerve in cochlear implantation is very low. The course of the facial nerve is not routinely evaluated preoperatively, but variations in its course can restrict access to the round window and impede implantation. In 5 of 42 operations, direct visualization of the round window was not possible. In 1 patient there was an obvious congenital bifurcation. Successful implantation was made possible by mobilizing the nerve.
Subject(s)
Cochlear Implants , Facial Nerve/abnormalities , Adult , Child , Cochlea/surgery , Humans , Round Window, Ear/surgeryABSTRACT
The conventional radiographs of 84 antra were used to study the relationship of radiographic interpretation with the lavage result. In addition, the interpretations by a clinician and a radiologist were compared, showing that there was no significant difference between the predictive accuracy of either. The only reliable radiographic predictor of lavage result was the presence of normality or a fluid level; opacity and so-called mucosal thickening were deemed unreliable and their validity was questioned.
