Paediatric vestibular assessment in French cochlear implant centres: Challenges and improvement areas.

OBJECTIVE: Survey of paediatric vestibular activity in all 30 French paediatric cochlear implant (CI) centres to identify challenges and areas of improvement. METHOD: All 30 French CI centres answered a 29-question questionnaire about their paediatric vestibular activity, equipment, and management in different clinical situations (e.g. vestibular assessment before a cochlear implantation or in cases of vertigo) at different ages. RESULTS: Eighteen CI centres had dedicated paediatric vestibular clinics and 12 did not. Minimum age required for vestibular testing was 3 years in eight centres. Four vestibular tests stood out: caloric tests, video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), rotating chair, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP). Depending on the centre's experience, the use of vestibular tests in clinical routine was very heterogeneous. Expert centres mostly used vHIT and cervical VEMP (in bone conduction) for assessments before the first cochlear implantation in 1-year-old children. Dizziness assessment in 4-year children was based on the use of vHIT, cervical VEMP on bone conduction, rotatory test, and caloric test. Ocular VEMP was rarely used. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric vestibular assessment requires specific expertise compared to adults. Due to a lack of specialised human resources, some centres may be unable to follow French paediatric CI guidelines. International recommendations could help standardise paediatric vestibular management and public health policies should be discussed to improve training and access for children.

The French Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): General indicators.

Cochlear and brainstem implants have been included on the list of reimbursable products (LPPR) in France since March of 2009. The implants were initially inscribed for 5 years, after which an application for renewal with the French National Commission for the Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (Commission Nationale d'évaluation des dispositifs médicaux et des technologies de santé - CNEDiMTS) was required [Haute Autorité de santé, 2009]. Upon registration to the list of reimbursable products, the companies and the reference centers for cochlear and brainstem implants were asked to set up a post-registration registry called EPIIC. This article reports the evolution in the EPIIC registry of the general indicators for 5051 patients over the five years from 2012-2016.

The French Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Cochlear implant candidacy assessment of off-label indications.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate in France the outcomes of cochlear implantation outside the selection criteria, off-label. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study including adults and children having received a cochlear implant (CI) in an off-label indication, that is outside the criteria established by the "Haute Autorité de santé (HAS)" in 2012. The data was collected from the "EPIIC" registry on recipients who received CIs in France between 2011 and 2014. Speech audiometry was performed at 60dB preimplantation and after one year of CI use, as well as an evaluation of the scores of the quality of life with the APHAB questionnaire, the scores for CAP and the professional/academic status in pre- and post-implantation conditions. Major and minor complications at surgery have been recorded. RESULTS: In total, 590 patients (447 adults and 143 children) with an off-label indication for CIs were included in this study from the EPIIC registry (11.7% of the whole cohort of EPIIC). For adults, the median percentage of comprehension using monosyllabic word lists was 41% in preimplantation condition versus 53% after one year of CI use (P<0.001) and 60% versus 71% in dissyllabic word lists (P<0.001). The CAP scores were 5 versus 6 in pre- and post-implantation conditions respectively (P<0.001) and the APHAB scores were statistically lower after implantation (P<0.001). In the children cohort, the median percentage of comprehension using monosyllabic word lists was 51% in preimplantation condition and 65% after CI (P<0.001), and 48% versus 82% (P<0.001) for dissyllabic word lists. The CAP scores were 5 versus 7 respectively in pre- and post-CI conditions (P<0.001). Thirty-two minor complications (5.4%) and 17 major complications (2.8%) were reported in our panel of off-label indication patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a revision of the cochlear implantation candidacy criteria is necessary to allow more patients with severe or asymmetric hearing loss to benefit from a CI when there is an impact on quality of life despite the use of an optimal hearing aid.

Pediatric cochlear reimplantation: Decision-tree efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: The context leading to pediatric cochlear reimplantation (CreI) can be complex. The objectives of this study were to define initial CreI indications, analyze final diagnosis and draw up a decision-tree. METHODS: A retrospective study included patients undergoing CreI between 2005 and 2015. Demographic characteristics, CreI circumstances and technical reports were collected. Circumstances indicating CreI were classified in 3 groups: performance decrement, suspected device failure, or medical. After CreI, final diagnoses were classified in 2 groups: confirmed failure (DFail) or medical (DMed). RESULTS: 69 out of 734 cochlear implantation surgeries were for CreI (8%). Manufacturers' reports were available in 64 cases (93%). Two principal causes were found: trauma and infection. Initial indications were: performance decrement: 27%; device failure: 56%; and medical: 17%. Final diagnoses were: DFail: 72%; and DMed: 28%. Initial indication and final diagnosis were similar in 86% of cases. The majority of the 14% initial indication errors belonged to the "performance decrement" group. Traumatic causes correlated with risk of initial indication error (P=0.039). CONCLUSION: Apart from spontaneous device failure, the two causes of CreI were infection and trauma. Using the present decision algorithm, half of the complex cases were resolved after CreI.

[Vestibular dysfunction after cochlear implantation: a national multicenter clinical study]. / Vertiges et troubles de l'equilibre après implantation cochléaire. Analyse préliminaire des données du PHRC national: "Diffusion de la technique des implants cochléaires: etude d'impact des conséquences médicales, sociales et economiques".

Vertigo and dizziness are the most common complications of cochlear implantation. Data of a multicentric study about clinical aspects and cost utility were collected for vertigo and dizziness: incidence, clinical and treatment were analyzed among 469 adults and children. Results demonstrated that 16% of adults and 3% of children experienced dizziness postoperatively. In a few cases a specific mechanism as perilymphatic fistula was identified. In other cases the mechanism underlying delayed vertigo remains speculative and endolymphatic hydrops was suggested.