Successful partial cochlear implantation in a patient with relapsing polychondritis

Year 2019, , 227 - 230, 20.12.2019

Badi Aldosarı

https://doi.org/10.32448/entupdates.584224

Abstract

The
author reports on a case of relapsing polychondritis in which partial insertion
of a cochlear implant has been successful. A woman with known relapsing
polychondritis gave a history of increasingly severe auditory loss of
sensorineural type occurring bilaterally. Previous repeated treatments with
corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications had been attempted. A
right-sided cochlear implantation with partial electrode array insertion was
carried out due to the patient's cochlea being obliterated. The outcome was
excellent and the improvement in hearing was maintained. Relapsing
polychondritis (RP) is a rarely-seen disorder, the aetiology of which is
obscure, but which results in inflammation within cartilage throughout the
entire body. The cochlea may become obliterated by this process. Cochlear
implantation may be needed in such circumstances. The successful outcome in
this case shows a potential role for cochlear implantation in individuals with
inner ear disorders produced by immune disorders or relapsing polychondritis.

Keywords

Polychondritis, relapsing, sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implantation

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