title: Velopharyngeal insufficiency clinic: the first 18 months.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To profile the presentation and management of patients seen at a velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) clinic and to explore the role of commonly used investigations in the workup of VPI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care VPI clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A computerized database created at the time of patient assessment was accessed to review 75 patients seen over an 18-month span.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive analysis of patient demographics, presenting complaints, pathophysiology, and treatment. The incidence of chromosome 22q microdeletion in patients presenting to such a clinic was also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common etiology was persistent VPI following prior cleft palate surgery. Eleven percent of presenting patients were identified with 22q microdeletion by fluorescent in situ hybridization testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VPI is the result of a wide number of etiologies, with a high incidence of 22q microdeletion identified. Routine genetic testing in VPI clinics is advocated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Murad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husein
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dworschak-Stokan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy