Simultaneous cochlear implantation with early endoscopic surgery in small acoustic neuroma

Abstract

Objectives: The exclusive endoscopic transcanal transpromontorial approach (EETTA) has recently been developed for the removal of small-sized acoustic neuromas in the labyrinth (intralabyrinthine schwannoma [ILS]) or internal auditory canal (IAC). Although small tumors that meet the indications for EETTA are also good candidates for cochlear implantation (CI), there are few reports on CI after schwannoma removal using EETTA. Here we present an outcome of patients who underwent simultaneous EETTA and CI.

Methods: Five patients (two with IAC fundus tumors and three with ILS) who underwent simultaneous EETTA and CI between 2020 and 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. Their medical charts and test results were reviewed.

Results: After at least 12 months of follow-up, there were no severe surgical complications such as meningitis, infection, or skin necrosis. Four of the five patients responded to auditory stimulation. Three out of four auditory-responsive patients scored >80% on sentence recognition.

Conclusion: Simultaneous EETTA and CI are feasible for the treatment of ILS and IAC fundus tumors. Preservation of the cochlear nerve and modiolus is important for favorable CI outcomes. Therefore, ILS and IAC fundus tumors in patients with nonserviceable hearing should be surgically removed as early as possible to enable proper hearing rehabilitation with CI.

Level of evidence: Level 4.