Μελέτη της αιθουσαίας λειτουργίας βαρήκοων και κωφών προ και μετά την κοχλιακή εμφύτευση

Abstract

Aim of the study was to examine the influence of cochlear implantation on the vestibular function.Methods: Twenty unilaterally cochlear implant patients were evaluated preoperatively, one and six months postoperatively, with caloric testing with electronystagmography (ENG) recordings and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP). A medical history was taken from every subject, noting the presence or absence of vertigo before and after the operation. We also investigated possible predictive factors for the appearance of postoperative vertigo.Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the percentages of canal paresis (p = 0.01) and the percentages of VEMP waveform absence (p = 0.002) between the repeated measurements in the implanted side, whereas in the non-implanted side no difference was found (p > 0.05). Four patients complained of postoperative vestibular symptoms. In three of them the symptoms lasted less than six months postoperatively, but the fourth patient was still dizzy six months after cochlear implantation. No correlation was found between the investigated factors and the occurrence of postoperative vertigo.Conclusion: Although changes of the peripheral vestibular function of the implanted side were recorded in our patients, permanent vertigo was rare. Predictive factors for the occurrence of postoperative vestibular symptoms could not be identified.