title: The nasopharynx in infants with cleft lip and palate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to use three-dimensional computed tomography data and computer imaging technology to assess the skeletal components of the naso-pharyngeal area in patients with cleft lip and palate and to quantify anatomical variations.
  
  
  METHODS
  CT scans were obtained from 29 patients of Malay origin with cleft lip and palate aged between 0 and 12 months and 12 noncleft patients in the same age group, using a GE Lightspeed Plus Scanner housed in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Measurements were obtained using the 'Persona' three-dimensional software package, developed at Australian Craniofacial Unit, Adelaide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the present study show that there is an increased nasopharyngeal space in cleft lip and palate that may lead to compression of the nasopharyngeal structures, including the Eustachian tube. Alterations of the medial pterygoid plate and the hamulus may lead to an alteration in the origin and orientation of the tensor veli palatini muscle leading to alteration in its function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These anatomical variations may compromise the dilatory mechanism of the Eustachian tube, thus leading to recurrent middle ear infections in cleft children and subsequent loss of hearing.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. zar5057@gmail.com
authors.forename: Zainul A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Rajion
authors.forename: Ali R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Al-Khatib
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Netherway
authors.forename: Grant C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Ab Rani
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Samsudin
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods