Safety and Management of Magnetic Interactions Between Ipsilateral Cochlear Implantation and Programmable Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts

To describe 2 cases of ipsilateral programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and cochlear implantation, and provide recommendations on the specific risks and perioperative considerations related to magnetic interactions between devices....

When a patient requires ipsilateral cochlear implantation and has a programmable VP shunt, implement a formal perioperative protocol to monitor and reset shunt valve settings, as magnetic interactions can inadvertently reprogram shunt pressure and cause serious neurological harm.

As cochlear implant candidacy expands to medically complex patients, neurosurgical co-management protocols for device interactions like CI-VP shunt magnetic interference become essential for patient safety.

1. 01Two patients underwent ipsilateral CI placement with a programmable ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt in place.
2. 02Magnetic components of cochlear implants can inadvertently reprogram programmable VP shunt valves.
3. 03Unintended shunt reprogramming can cause serious complications including over- or under-drainage of cerebrospinal fluid.
4. 04Authors provide perioperative management recommendations for this dual-device scenario.
5. 05Case series highlights a gap in multidisciplinary surgical planning for complex CI candidates.

PMID

42241273

DOI

10.1097/MAO.0000000000004951.

Journal

Otology & Neurotology

Publication type

case_report

Evidence level

4

Sample size

2

Population

Patients who underwent ipsilateral cochlear implantation with a co-existing programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Intervention

Ipsilateral cochlear implantation in patients with programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunts