Objective: To evaluate the ability of the transimpedance matrix (TIM) measurement to detect cochlear implant electrode tip foldover by comparing results to a "gold standard," the intraoperative plain film radiograph.
Study design: Retrospective case series.
Setting: Tertiary referral hospital.
Patients: One hundred three patients who underwent cochlear implantation between June 2020 and August 2021.
Interventions: Intraoperative electrophysiologic monitoring (electrode impedances, neural response telemetry, and TIM measurement) and modified Stenver's view plain film radiographs.
Main outcome measures: Identification of tip foldover on both TIM and plain films.
Results: In total, 103 patients (117 ears) had both a TIM measurement and intraoperative X-ray available for review, including 68 adults and 35 children. One hundred patients (85%) received the Cochlear Slim Modiolar electrode. Tip foldovers were noted in three of 117 implants (2.5%). In all cases, TIM was able to detect the foldover, and the electrode arrays were reinserted with the patients still under anesthesia, with repeat X-ray demonstrating a normal configuration. Two other abnormal TIM patterns were identified. One was in a patient with an obstructed cochlea in whom only 10 electrodes could be inserted, the other was in a patient with a common cavity abnormality. One additional patient underwent electrode repositioning intraoperatively because of overinsertion. In this patient, the TIM appeared to be within normal limits, but the over-insertion was apparent on X-ray. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of TIM measurements in detecting electrode tip foldover were both 100%.
Conclusion: TIM measurements were able to accurately identify tip foldovers. More research is needed to define the adjunctive role of TIM as an intraoperative measure.
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