Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of occult submucous cleft palate

• Published in: The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal 2001-09, Vol.38 (5), p.421-431
• Main Authors: KUEHN, David P, ETTEMA, Sandra L, GOLDWASSER, Michael S, BARKMEIER, Joseph C, WACHTEL, Jayne M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Articulation Disorders - diagnosis; Biological and medical sciences; Child, Preschool; Cleft Palate - diagnosis; Cleft Palate - physiopathology; Cleft Palate - surgery; Cleft Palate - therapy; Decision Making; Dentistry; Female; Fluoroscopy; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical sciences; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology. Orbit; Palatal Muscles - abnormalities; Palate, Hard - pathology; Palate, Soft - abnormalities; Patient Care Planning; Prospective Studies; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Speech - physiology; Speech Disorders - diagnosis; Speech Intelligibility - physiology; Speech Therapy; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract; Surgical Flaps; Uvula - abnormalities; Videotape Recording
• ISSN: 1055-6656; 1545-1569
• DOI: 10.1597/1545-1569(2001)038<0421:MRIITE>2.0.CO;2

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. Prospective study with magnetic resonance (MR) images of subjects suspected of having occult submucous cleft palate. Hospital and university-based. Two girls who were 4 years old at the time of palatal surgery. Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty. MR images and clinical speech evaluations. 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. 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.