Objectives
The number of patients with cochlear implant (CIs) increases each year. Most of these patients may undergo MRI up to 3 Tesla, based on safety recommendations from each of the manufacturers. Nevertheless, this does not completely eliminate the risk of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MRI investigations among CI patients and to determine the prevalence of MRI-related medical and technical complications in CI-users. In addition, safety-measures were reviewed.
Methods
A retrospective and anonymousquestionnaire was sent to 286 patients (aged 4 to 97 years) that received one or more CIs from the three manufacturers Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Ltd. or MED-EL. The survey consisted of: (1) general demographic and background information including age of the patient, date of implantation, model of the implant (internal part), (2) MRI (when, where, body region scanned, precautionary measures to prevent complications), (3) Subjective sensations of the patient during the scan (pain, discomfort), and if the imaging was totally realized, (4) Complications during and after the MRI.
Results
We received 186 replies (65 %). From the returned questionnaires, 39 patients could be included in our study because they had undergone at least one MRI with their CIs. All examinations were performed with a magnetic field strength of 1.5 T.
These 39 patients carry altogether 41 CIs and had undergone 49 MRI in total. 23 patients (67%) with 26 CIs underwent 33 MRI in total and without pain. Unfortunately, in 16 patients (33%) pain and (6%) magnet displacement are the most frequently described complications. Another problem posed by MRI is the artifact generated by the magnet.
Conclusion
The most commonly reported complication of MRI in CIs patients was pain. Other significant complications included magnet displacement, polarity reversal or demagnetization. MRI indication must be indisputable, and the patient must be clearly informed about the risks of MRI. Before performing an MRI, information on MRI compatibility should be obtained from the CI centers or CI manufacturer.

**Objectives**
The number of patients with cochlear implant (CIs) increases each year. Most of these patients may undergo MRI up to 3 Tesla, based on safety recommendations from each of the manufacturers. Nevertheless, this does not completely eliminate the risk of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MRI investigations among CI patients and to determine the prevalence of MRI-related medical and technical complications in CI-users. In addition, safety-measures were reviewed.
**Methods**
A retrospective and anonymousquestionnaire was sent to 286 patients (aged 4 to 97 years) that received one or more CIs from the three manufacturers Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Ltd. or MED-EL. The survey consisted of: (1) general demographic and background information including age of the patient, date of implantation, model of the implant (internal part), (2) MRI (when, where, body region scanned, precautionary measures to prevent complications), (3) Subjective sensations of the patient during the scan (pain, discomfort), and if the imaging was totally realized, (4) Complications during and after the MRI.
**Results**
We received 186 replies (65 %). From the returned questionnaires, 39 patients could be included in our study because they had undergone at least one MRI with their CIs. All examinations were performed with a magnetic field strength of 1.5 T.
These 39 patients carry altogether 41 CIs and had undergone 49 MRI in total. 23 patients (67%) with 26 CIs underwent 33 MRI in total and without pain. Unfortunately, in 16 patients (33%) pain and (6%) magnet displacement are the most frequently described complications. Another problem posed by MRI is the artifact generated by the magnet.
**Conclusion**
The most commonly reported complication of MRI in CIs patients was pain. Other significant complications included magnet displacement, polarity reversal or demagnetization. MRI indication must be indisputable, and the patient must be clearly informed about the risks of MRI. Before performing an MRI, information on MRI compatibility should be obtained from the CI centers or CI manufacturer.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) complications in patients with cochlear implants

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm, that on behalf of the Cochlear Implant centers of the Radboud UMC in Nijmegen and Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam to invite you to attend the 16th European Symposium on Pediatric Cochlear Implantation to Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2023.

Yours sincerely, on behalf of the CI Centers at Radboud UMC and Erasmus MC,