Objective: This investigation was performed to determine if an easily measu
rable, reproducible, bony parameter could be identified that might predict
hearing loss in cleft palate children.
Subjects: In this prospective study performed at the Sheffield Children's H
ospital (U.K.), 34 children with successfully repaired cleft palate who res
ponded to a postal request for volunteers were assessed clinically, audiolo
gically, and by lateral soft tissue neck radiography. Six children were exc
luded because of previous otologic surgery or poor quality radiographs, Twe
nty-six children who had the same series of investigations were randomly se
lected from routine otolaryngological outpatient clinics and acted as contr
ols.
Methods: The sphenopalatine angle (SPA), which relates the facial and crani
al components of the skull, was measured on each child's radiograph.
Results: The median SPA in the cleft palate group was significantly greater
than in the control group (p = 0.01). In those cleft palate children with
a hearing loss the sphenopalatine angle was smaller than in their normal he
aring counterparts (p = 0.01). No significant difference was found in the S
PA between the hearing loss and normal hearing controls, There was no signi
ficant difference in age ranges between the hearing and hearing loss subgro
ups In each of the two primary groups.
Conclusions: In this study, those cleft palate children with a smaller SPA
have a greater incidence of hearing loss.