Velopharyngeal insufficiency clinic: the first 18 months.
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.
Hamilton
Scott
S
Department of Otolaryngology, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Husein
Murad
M
Dworschak-Stokan
Anne
A
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