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Cochlear Implantation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Patients

2003; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 24; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00129492-200311000-00012

1537-4505

J. Thomas Roland, George Alexiades, Alexis H. Jackman, Dean E. Hillman, William H. Shapiro,

Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of cochlear implants in human immunodeficiency virus–infected individuals and correlate these results with a proposed pathophysiological mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus–associated hearing loss. Study Design Retrospective case series and temporal bone analysis of deceased human immunodeficiency virus–positive patients. Setting Tertiary care hospital. Patients Seven human immunodeficiency virus–positive individuals with profound sensorineural hearing loss. Intervention Cochlear implantation at New York University Medical Center. Methods The surgical outcomes and complications were analyzed. Additionally, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical findings of cadaver temporal bone specimens of other known human immunodeficiency virus–positive individuals were reviewed. The performance results of the human immunodeficiency virus–positive cochlear implant patients were then correlated with the previously hypothesized pathophysiological mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus–associated hearing loss. Results The patients had a varied performance with cochlear implantation, and as a group performance was good. There were no surgical complications or postoperative complications. The good performance of these patients supports the hypothesis that the mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus–associated deafness involves infiltration, malfunction, and premature degeneration of the hair cells and supportive cells of the cochlea. Conclusions Human immunodeficiency virus–positive individuals benefit from cochlear implantation without increased surgical risk.