Hiroshi Yamazaki
Dr. Hiroshi Yamazaki, an otology specialist in Japan, is a junior associate professor at Kyoto University. His clinical and research focus includes cochlear implantation, binaural hearing, and auditory neuroscience using EABR, EEG, and fNIRS. He has trained as a clinical observer in Melbourne and conducted research in Toronto.
Sessions
Proposal for a roundtable session with active discussion of atypical and challenging cases for cochlear implantation, addressing the entire decision-making process — from preoperative planning and implant selection to the final surgical indication.
Cochlear implantation has evolved from a standardized surgical procedure to a highly individualized intervention, where anatomical variability plays a critical role in surgical planning and outcomes. Among the key anatomical features, cochlear duct length (CDL), cochlear shape, scalar anatomy, and modiolar proximity have emerged as pivotal factors influencing electrode selection, insertion trajectory, and auditory performance.
This round table will bring together clinicians and researchers from diverse backgrounds — including otologic surgery, neuroradiology, biomedical engineering, and audiology — to discuss how a deeper understanding of cochlear anatomy can translate into more effective and personalized cochlear implantation strategies.
We will begin by discussing how advanced imaging techniques, including high-resolution CT and MRI, can be used to assess individual cochlear morphology preoperatively. The use of multiplanar reconstructions and oblique views will be addressed, along with semi-automated and AI-assisted tools for CDL estimation and cochlear segmentation. Participants will examine the strengths and limitations of these tools in clinical settings, and how they are currently being integrated into surgical planning.
Next, we will explore the implications of cochlear anatomy for electrode array selection. Comparative evidence and expert opinions will help attendees refine their surgical choices according to the patient’s anatomy.
Finally, we will highlight future perspectives, including the use of machine learning to predict outcomes based on anatomical data and the role of patient-specific 3D models and virtual reality in surgical training and planning.
By fostering a multidisciplinary exchange, this session aims to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to better understand, respect, and leverage cochlear anatomy in their clinical practice.