Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of occult 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.


METHODS
Prospective study with magnetic resonance (MR) images of subjects suspected of having occult submucous cleft palate.


METHODS
Hospital and university-based.


METHODS
Two girls who were 4 years old at the time of palatal surgery.


METHODS
Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty.


METHODS
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.
Kuehn
D P
DP
Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 901 S. Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. d-kuehn@uiuc.edu
Ettema
S L
SL
Goldwasser
M S
MS
Barkmeier
J C
JC
Wachtel
J M
JM
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D010156:Palatal Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000473:pathology; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000002:abnormalities; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D013065:Speech Intelligibility / Q000502:physiology; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014609:Uvula / Q000002:abnormalities; D014743:Videotape Recording