Hui Ma, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ping Han MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Wei-jia Kong, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jie Xiao, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Siemens AG, Shanghai, China

Reto Dominik Merges, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Siemens AG, Shanghai, China

Gan-Sheng Feng, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the feasibility of volume rendering technique(VRT) in the assessment of postoperative cochlear implant patients and to assess the position of the electrode arrays within the cochlea.

23 children of Combi 40 cochlear implant recipients were included in this study. All the recipients were examined with a MSCT scanner (SOMATOM Sensation 16, Siemens) 7 days after the surgery. Axial imaging were performed using the following parameters:120kv,100mAs,0.75mm slice thickness,a pitch factor of 1.The axial images of implanted ears were reconstructed with 0.1mm reconstruction increment and a FOV of 50mm.Then,3D reconstructions of bony labyrinth and electrode arrays were done with volume rendering technique on the workstation by using the double threshold and false color.

The time required for volume rendering and electrode assessment ranged from 10 to 20 minutes.By using the double threshold and false color,both the electrode arrays and the bony labyrinth were isolated and displayed in the same 3-D model. It provided an intuitionistic and three-dimensional view of the relationship of electrode array and the cochlea.In 20 children VRT images showed 12 pair electrodes within the cochlea,in one child VRT showed 11 pair electrodes and in two children VRT showed 10 pair electrodes.

Visualization of both the electrode and cochlea in one 3-D model with VRT is feasible. It provided an intuitionistic and three-dimensional view of the relationship of electrode array and the cochlea and is the unique method to assess electrode position within the cochlea.

VRT enables visualization of both the individual electrode and anatomic details of the cochlea,thus providing useful information to optimize the function of the cochlear implant in individual patients

Ma, H, Han, P, Kong, W, Xiao, J, Merges, R, Feng, G, Volume Rendering Technique as a Valuable Tool in the Postoperative Assessment of Combi 40 Cochlear Implant.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5002341.html