The role of electromyography in the diagnosis of velopharyngeal insufficiency: Our experiences

The subject of this study is the electromyographic investigation of the vel opharyngeal sphincter structures. Seventy-five patients underwent examinati on, both patients with symptoms of velopharyngeal insufficiency and patient s who were thought to have latent pathological sphincter changes based on l ocal findings. A control group of 10 healthy examinees was also investigate d. On the basis of electromyographic findings we divided patients into 2 gr oups: 57 patients without neuromuscular disorders and 18 patients with neur omuscular disorders of the velopharyngeal sphincter. Twelve patients from t he latter group had acute, and 6 had chronic lesions of the velopharyngeal sphincter. Particular cases of illness within these 2 groups were investiga ted further. This study shows the usefulness of electromyography for diagno sing the exact causes of velopharyngeal insufficiency and for choosing the best approach to treatment.