Poznan's program of cochlear and brainstem implantation: a general review.

The cochlear implantation program in Poznan started in January 1994. Within 8 years, 151 patients were implanted (149 cochlear and 2 auditory brain-stem implants). The implanted group comprised 111 children and 40 adults. We have extended the lower age limit for cochlear implant candidates, and the youngest implanted patient was 18-months-old at the time of surgery. We have also implanted six multi-handicapped subjects. All patients were implanted with different nucleus devices (22, 24 M, 24 K, 24 Contour, 24 Double Array and 24 ABI). Insertion of the Nucleus 24 Contour electrode carrier requires a little larger cochleostomy in comparison with conventional straight array. After insertion, the intraoperative measurements are taken (impedance telemetry, electrically evoked stapedius reflex and NRT). The day after surgery, each patient undergoes an X-ray examination (the cochleogram or cochlear view). The calculated length of the electrode array insertion was 12.75-24.0 mm (mean: 22.05 mm) and the degree of electrode rotation was 180-540 degrees (mean: 292.82 degrees). After speech processor switch-on, we performed NRT measurements. Our results indicated that the NRT threshold was in 51.4% of the dynamic range within the group of examined patients. The adults' progress of rehabilitation was checked during individual sessions. The rehabilitation of children included two rehabilitation schedules: continuous ones and weekly rehabilitation camps. The progress of the recovery process of implanted children enabled them to change their school profile from hearing impaired to mainstream. Voice rehabilitation is often monitored by acoustic analysis using the Multi Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP).

[Diagnostic problems in a rapid course of Wegener's disease with sudden sensorineural hearing loss]. / Trudnosci diagnostyczne w przypadku choroby Wegenera o gwaltownym przebiegu z objawami usznymi.

A rapid course of Wegener's disease with a sudden sensorineural hearing loss was described. The definitive diagnosis was established post mortem.

[CT examination of the temporal bones for cochlear implantation]. / Badanie CT kosci skroniowych u osób przygotowanych do operacji wszczepu slimakowego.

CT examinations of temporal bones were performed in 31 deaf patients from qualify diagnostic stage prepared for cochlear implants. Essential for surgical treatment anatomic details were estimated, especially canalis spiralis cochleae was paid to attention. In our group, 8 patients had some CT changes (abnormal findings) which corresponded to different stages of obliteration the cochlea. The majority of patients lost the hearing because of meningitis. In 6 implanted patients CT scan was compared with surgical findings. During the operation 1 patient with patent cochlea on CT scan had partially ossified basal turn.

[Bilateral carotid glomus tumor]. / Obustronny guz kebka szyjnego.

In 42 year-old patient operated on neck tumour chemodectomy was diagnosed intraoperatively. Due to the substantial size of the tumour the treatment was additionally radiated. During control examination, 2 months after the end of the treatment, a tumour was diagnosed on the neck. Angiographie examination confirmed suspicion of the glomus tumour on the other side. An operation was carried out with preservation of arterial blood supply. Complications of both operations was bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Laser arytenoidectomy was performed and good air passage was obtained.