Radiological and NRT-Ratio-Based Estimation of Slim Straight Cochlear Implant Electrode Positions: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVES: An intraoperative neural response telemetry-ratio (NRT-ratio) was established, which can provide information about the intraoperative intracochlear electrode array position for perimodiolar electrodes.

METHODS: In a retrospective controlled study in 2 tertiary referral centers, the electrophysiological data sets of 50 patients with measured intraoperative auto-NRTs and postoperative radiological examinations were evaluated. All patients were implanted with Nucleus slim straight electrodes. The NRT-ratio was calculated by dividing the average auto-NRT data from electrodes 16 to 18 with the average from electrodes 5 to 7. Using a flat panel tomography system or a computed tomography, the position of the electrode array was certified radiological.

RESULTS: Radiologically, 2 out of 50 patients were identified with an electrode translocated from the scala tympani into the scala vestibuli. The radiologically estimated electrodes indicating a scalar change showed a regular NRT-ratio but nonspecific NRT-level changes at the localization of translocation.