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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Annals of Otology and Neurotology 2021; 4(01): 006-010
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735992
Original Article

Cochlear Model for the Evaluation of MRI Sequences and Cochlear Implant Electrode Pattern at 3T

Lars Uwe Scholtz
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Campus Mitte, Klinikum Bielefeld, Germany
,
Conrad Riemann
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Campus Mitte, Klinikum Bielefeld, Germany
,
Hans Björn Gehl
2   Department of Radiology, Bielefeld University, Klinikum Bielefeld, Germany
,
Holger Sudhoff
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Campus Mitte, Klinikum Bielefeld, Germany
,
Ingo Todt
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Campus Mitte, Klinikum Bielefeld, Germany
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Abstract

Introduction Cochlear implant (CI) magnets and surgical techniques (e.g., positioning) have made an impact on the relationship between CI and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by solving the problem of pain and artifact. Recent investigations displayed the possibility to evaluate the CI electrode position by MRI in vivo. However, further improved perceptual quality is needed to allow an improved evaluation of the electrode.

Aims The aim of this study was to assess a cochlear model for the examination of CI electrode pattern and MRI sequences in vitro.

Materials and Methods We investigated CI electrodes in a fluid-filled three-dimensional artificial scala tympani model combined with a fluid package in a 3T MRI scanner. Different high-resolution T2 sequences (0.6–0.2 mm voxel size) were used for the visual electrode pattern evaluation for finding an optimized sequence.

Results Artificial models can be used to evaluate MRI characteristics of CI electrodes. In our scanner configuration, a 0.3 mm voxel and 0.9 mm slice thickness sequence showed the best compromise between resolution and scanning time.

Conclusion and Significance MRI model-based testing can be performed in vitro to evaluate CI electrodes’ pattern and to optimize sequences. An MRI model is a tool for in vitro testing of MRI sequences and might help for future in vivo applications.

Keywords

MRI - cochlear implant - cochlear model - electrode position - MRI sequences


Publication History

Article published online:
21 September 2021

© 2021. Indian Society of Otology. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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