EVALUATION OF VELOPHARYNGEAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND VELOPHARYNGEAL INSUFFICIENCY WITH MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

The disadvantages and limitations of imaging methods to investigate ve lopharyngeal incompetence have created some difficulties in the manage ment of this condition. Seven normal volunteers and seven patients who were suffering from a speech disorder were examined using magnetic re sonance imaging. The velopharyngeal aperture was evaluated at rest and during phonation. In normal volunteers, the velopharyngeal aperture a rea had a mean value of 1.632 cm(2) while at rest and complete closure was obtained during the phonation of /s/ sound. Detailed information tvas obtained about the function of the levator palati muscle. In five patients during the phonation of /s/ sound there was an increase ill the area of the velopharyngeal aperture when compared to the volunteer s. Investigation with magnetic resonance imaging is helpful in the pre treatment evaluation and postopertive follow-up examination of velopha ryngeal insufficiency. As a result, this noninvasive method can be use d as an alternative to conventional radiological investigations.