Superficial skin burns in the area of ??Cochlea implants after MRI examination

Introduction As the number of patients with cochlear implants continues to increase, so will the volume of implant-treated patients who require MRI scans during their lifetime. This in turn makes complications associated with radiological diagnostics more likely to occur.

Case We present the case of a seven-year-old patient, who suffered a superficial burn in the area of ??both cochlear implants associated with a MRI scan. The patient’s primary disease is the MNGIE syndrome, due to hearing impairment he was treated with "MED-EL Synchrony®" Cochlear implants bilaterally 2 years ago alio loco. Following a stem cell transplantation in June 2019, stationary admission was necessary because of various complications.

As part of the diagnostic evaluation of an ascending paralysis with respiratory insufficiency, a cerebral and spinal MRI was indicated. The examination was performed under anesthesia. Examination time was just over an hour.

The field strength of the MRI (1.5 T) used for this medical device is considered harmless. Prior to the MRI a proper head dressing was applied by our clinic for ear, nose and throat medicine.

After the MRI, burns grade 2 occurred bilaterally just laterally of the implants. A functional restriction of the implants was technically excluded via NRI. The burns healed completely within a few weeks and without further consequences.

Conclusion In the case described, due to the necessary imaging of the entire spinal cord, the duration of the examination on MRI exceeded one hour, which probably led to increased heat development at the implant sites. This case illustrates that even with proper preparation and execution of the examination, complications cannot always be prevented. Therefore the time of examination should be as short as possible.

Poster-PDF A-1881.pdf

Publication History

Article published online:
07 August 2020