Velopharyngeal Muscle Morphology in Children With Unrepaired Submucous Cleft Palate: An Imaging Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 105566562095474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham C. Schenck ◽  
Jamie L. Perry ◽  
Mary M. O’Gara ◽  
Amy Morgan Linde ◽  
Mitchell F. Grasseschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ◽  
Levator Muscle ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Submucous Cleft Palate ◽  
Α Angle ◽  
Normal Speech

Objective: To identify quantitative and qualitative differences in the velopharyngeal musculature and surrounding structures between children with submucous cleft palate (SMCP) and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and noncleft controls with normal anatomy and normal speech. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the velopharyngeal mechanism in 20 children between 4 and 9 years of age; 5 with unrepaired SMCP and VPI. Quantitative and qualitative measures of the velum and levator veli palatini in participants with symptomatic SMCP were compared to noncleft controls with normal velopharyngeal anatomy and normal speech. Results: Analysis of covariance revealed that children with symptomatic SMCP demonstrated increased velar genu angle (15.6°, P = .004), decreased α angle (13.2°, P = .37), and longer (5.1 mm, P = .32) and thinner (4 mm, P = .005) levator veli palatini muscles compared to noncleft controls. Qualitative comparisons revealed discontinuity of the levator muscle through the velar midline and absence of a musculus uvulae in children with symptomatic SMCP compared to noncleft controls. Conclusions: The levator veli palatini muscle is longer, thinner, and discontinuous through the velar midline, and the musculus uvulae is absent in children with SMCP and VPI compared to noncleft controls. The overall velar configuration in children with SMCP and VPI is disadvantageous for achieving adequate velopharyngeal closure necessary for nonnasal speech compared to noncleft controls. These findings add to the body of literature documenting levator muscle, musculus uvulae, and velar and craniometric parameters in children with SMCP.

scholarly journals Asymmetry and Positioning of the Levator Veli Palatini Muscle in Children With Repaired Cleft Palate

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1317-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn J. Kotlarek ◽  
Catherine M. Pelland ◽  
Silvia S. Blemker ◽  
Michael S. Jaskolka ◽  
Xiangming Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ◽  
Levator Muscle ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Imaging Protocol ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Velopharyngeal Closure ◽  
History Of ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in velopharyngeal dimensions as well as levator veli palatini (levator) muscle morphology, positioning, and symmetry of children with repaired cleft palate with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), children with repaired cleft palate with complete velopharyngeal closure, and children with noncleft anatomy. Method Fifteen children ranging in age from 4 to 8 years were recruited for this study. Ten of the participants had a history of repaired cleft palate, half with documented VPI and the other half with velopharyngeal closure. Five participants with noncleft anatomy were matched for age from a normative database. The magnetic resonance imaging protocol, processing methods, and analysis are consistent with that used in previous literature. Results Regarding velopharyngeal dimensions, median values were statistically significantly different between groups for sagittal angle ( p = .031) and effective velopharyngeal ratio ( p = .013). With respect to the levator muscle, median values were statistically significant for average extravelar length ( p = .018), thickness at midline ( p = .021), and thickness between the left and right muscle bundles at the point of insertion into the velum ( p = .037). Remaining measures were not statistically significant. Conclusions The levator muscle is significantly different among these three groups with respect to thickness at midline, extravelar length, and symmetry at the point of insertion into the velum. Sagittal angle and effective velopharyngeal ratio are also significantly different. Participants with repaired cleft palate and VPI displayed the greatest degree of asymmetry. Future research should control for surgical procedure type to determine the impact of surgery on the levator muscle and surrounding velopharyngeal anatomy.

Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Activity in Relation to Intraoral Air Pressure Variation in Cleft Palate Subjects

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 376-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Kuehn ◽  
Jerald B. Moon
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
Levator Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
High Activation ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Activation Level ◽  
High Activation Level ◽  
Intraoral Air Pressure ◽  
Total Activation

A comparison of the ranges of levator veli palatini EMG activity for speech versus a nonspeech task for subjects with cleft palate was the focus of this study. EMG values are also compared with subjects without cleft palate obtained in a previous study. Hooked-wire electrodes were inserted into the levator muscle of five adult subjects with cleft palate exhibiting mild hypernasality. Intraoral air pressure was measured concurrently. A blowing task was used to determine the subject's operating range for the levator muscle. Both the nonspeech and speech tasks were designed to sample the widest possible ranges of levator EMG activity. It was found that the subjects with cleft palate used a relatively high activation level for the levator muscle during speech, in relation to their total activation range, compared with the subjects without cleft palate. Implications are discussed In relation to possible anatomic and physiologic differences for cleft palate subjects compared to normal.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Occult Submucous Cleft Palate

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Kuehn ◽  
Sandra L. Ettema ◽  
Michael S. Goldwasser ◽  
Joseph C. Barkmeier ◽  
Jayne M. Wachtel
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Muscle Tissue ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Levator Muscle ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Mr Images ◽  
Submucous Cleft Palate

Objective: To explore the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of patients with occult submucous cleft palate and to use the MRI information obtained to aid in the treatment decision to perform surgery versus behavioral speech therapy. Design: Prospective study with magnetic resonance (MR) images of subjects suspected of having occult submucous cleft palate. Setting: Hospital and university-based. Patients: Two girls who were 4 years old at the time of palatal surgery. Intervention: Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty. Main outcome measures: MR images and clinical speech evaluations. Results: MR images provided evidence of an interruption of levator veli palatini muscle tissue in the midline and a substantial attachment of levator muscle tissue to the posterior border of the hard palate. In addition, MR images for both subjects demonstrated remarkably similar bilateral encapsulating sheaths that contained nonmuscular tissue, as confirmed subsequently during surgery. The encapsulating sheaths interrupted the normal progression of the levator muscle sling across the midline. The MR images led to the decision to perform surgery instead of speech therapy. Hypernasality was markedly reduced in both subjects after surgery. Conclusions: MRI is an effective technique for diagnosing occult submucous cleft palate and may be an important aid in the treatment decision regarding surgery versus behavioral speech therapy for patients diagnosed with occult submucous cleft palate.

Current Practices and Controversies in Management of the Submucous Cleft Palate

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 59-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Marty Grames ◽  
Kamlesh Patel
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Surgical Repair ◽  
Consensus Conference ◽  
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Methods Of Evaluation ◽  
Submucous Cleft Palate ◽  
Cleft Palate Repair ◽  
Palate Repair ◽  
Definition Of

A review of the published literature on submucous cleft palate was conducted. Specific information sought included definition and prevalence of submucous cleft palate, indications for surgical intervention, ideal age for intervention, evaluation tools for submucous cleft palate, and whether or not surgical repair was indicated for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, feeding issues, or ear disease associated with submucous cleft. The research revealed that there is no consistent definition of submucous cleft palate in the published literature, which renders comparison of treatments difficult. In addition, the literature lacks consensus on the indications for submucous cleft palate repair, the effect of repair on ancillary disorders that may exist, and the best methods of evaluation for submucous cleft palate. A consensus conference on the submucous cleft may be valuable in guiding treatment and research going forward.

scholarly journals Vomer Agenesis as a Rare Cause of Hypernasality

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Mohamad ◽  
Rohaida Ibrahim ◽  
Khairul Azhar Mohd Rajet ◽  
Irfan Mohamad ◽  
Anura Aman
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Surgical Complication ◽  
Nasolacrimal Duct ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorder ◽  
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ◽  
Air Emission ◽  
Submucous Cleft Palate ◽  
Cleft Palate Repair ◽  
Palate Repair ◽  
Rare Symptom

Hypernasality which is rare symptom commonly occur as a consequence of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). VPI usually manifested as nasal air emission and hypernasal resonance during speech. The cause can be divided into congenital, neuromuscular disorder and surgical complication. Congenital cause of VPI includes cleft palate, nasal septum malformation such as vomer agenesis, submucous cleft palate and velar dysplasia, while neuromuscular VPI can be due to cerebral palsy or cerebrovascular accident. Surgical cause of VPI could be due to adenoidectomy and scarring of the velum post palatoplasty in cleft palate repair. We present a 17-year-old man who was diagnosed of congenital left nasolacrimal duct obstruction referred to us for left endoscopic dacrocystorhinostomyin which during nasoendoscopic examination revealed absence of vomer.

Furlow Palatoplasty to Restore Velopharyngeal Competence following Tonsillectomy Avulsion of a Pharyngeal Flap

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-88
Author(s):  
Arun K. Gosain ◽  
Daniel Remmler
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ◽  
Salvage Procedure ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Routine Procedure ◽  
Port Closure ◽  
Mechanical Interference ◽  
Submucous Cleft Palate ◽  
Previously Treated ◽  
Pharyngeal Flap

Objective We report the successful use of a Furlow palatoplasty to salvage velopharyngeal competence following iatrogenic avulsion of a pharyngeal flap that had been previously established to treat velopharyngeal insufficiency associated with a submucous cleft palate. Intervention A tonsillectomy, conducted by a surgeon unaffiliated with a cleft palate team, was used to remove enlarged tonsils that had developed after pharyngeal flap surgery and extended into the lateral ports causing nasal obstruction and hypernasality because of mechanical interference with port closure. A posttonsillectomy evaluation revealed avulsion of the pharyngeal flap, which was successfully treated using a Furlow palatoplasty. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of iatrogenic avulsion of a pharyngeal flap caused by tonsillectomy. Based on a review of the literature and this case experience, we would conclude that tonsillectomy should not be regarded as a routine procedure in patients previously treated with a pharyngeal flap. If required, it should be performed by a skilled otolaryngologist, preferably one affiliated with a multidisciplinary cleft palate team who is familiar with pharyngoplasty surgery. Finally, our experience would suggest that the Furlow palatoplasty is sufficiently robust to be used as a secondary salvage procedure to restore velopharyngeal sufficiency following iatrogenic avulsion of a pharyngeal flap.

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