Cochlear electrode array tip fold-over in incomplete partition-I – A case report

Abstract

Electrode tip fold-over is a rare complication of cochlear implantation (CI), especially in lateral wall (LW) electrodes. We describe a case of LW electrode tip fold-over in a patient with incomplete partition type-1 (IP–I). Preoperative measurement of cochlear length is important for optimal CI electrode selection. In cochlear malformation, Stenvers x-ray is superior to spread of excitation in detecting tip fold-over. Despite tip fold-over, hearing threshold, speech reception threshold, and word recognition score were almost symmetrical bilaterally. Therefore, revision surgery should be reserved for patients with persistent symptoms or markedly affected speech performance, in whom deactivation did not suffice.