Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2008 Sep;1(3):171-173. 10.3342/ceo.2008.1.3.171.

Cochlear Implantation after Bilateral Transverse Temporal Bone Fractures

• Shin JH
• Park SC
• Baek SH
• Kim SH

• KMID: 1486090
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2008.1.3.171

Abstract

Patients deafened by a severe head injury are rarely encountered. We report a case of a 65-yr-old man with bilateral transverse temporal bone fractures due to head injury. He underwent cochlear implant and achieved a satisfactory auditory rehabilitation. Imaging studies of temporal bone before performing a cochlear implantation provide important information on a patient with bilateral temporal bone fractures. Cochlear implantations with careful planning in such a patient may be a very effective method for aural rehabilitation.

Keyword

Temporal bone; Skull fractures; Sensorineural hearing loss; Cochlear implantation

MeSH Terms

Cochlear Implantation
Cochlear Implants
Correction of Hearing Impairment
Craniocerebral Trauma
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Humans
Skull Fractures
Temporal Bone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Axial CT scan of the temporal bones through the level of the otic capsules (bone window). Note the presence of bilateral transverse temporal bone fractures through the otic capsules (see black arrows). The temporal bone fractures appear to involve the otic capsule near the round window niches of the jugular bulb on the right side and through the cochlear axis on the left side. The left fracture line creates a bony separation shaped triangular particle posterior to the cochlear aqueduct and anterior to the jugular bulb and extends to the medial end of the internal auditory canal. Air can be seen in the middle turn of the cochlea, indicating a pneumolabyrinth (white arrow). (B) Axial CT scan through the level of the lateral semicircular canal. The fracture line on the right side involves the ampulla of the lateral semicircular canal and connects to the orifice of the vestibular aqueduct. Air can be seen in the right utricle and in the left internal auditory canal. Also there are effusions in the well pneumatized mastoid cavities, bilaterally, and in the left sphenoid sinus.

• 

  Fig. 2 Follow up imaging studies three months after the injury. (A) An enlarged axial CT scan of the left temporal bone through the level of the otic capsule shows no visible bony obstruction in the cochlear duct. (B) An enlarged axial T2 weighted MR scan shows a clearly visible fracture line with a hyposignal intensity which suggests fibrosis (white arrow).

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