S Leveau-Geffroy1, J-P Perrin, R H Khonsari, J Mercier. 1. Service de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale et Stomatologie, CHRU, 1, Place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes, France. leveausophie@gmail.com
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Velopharyngeal insufficiency is a frequent sign of the velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) but its origins are not well-documented. Our aim was to establish a correlation between this functional disorder and regional morphological anomalies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven of 36 patients presenting with VCFS could be included retrospectively. We measured cavum depth and velum length on lateral orthodontic X-rays, and assessed the relationship between these two measures. We compared these measures to those of reference populations. Postoperative phonation was assessed with an aerophonoscope. RESULTS: The patients presented with a short velum and a deep cavum. Cranium base and upper cervical spine were malformed in 22 of the 27 patients. Seventeen of the 23 assessed patients (66%) improved their phonation after surgery. DISCUSSION: Our data suggests that velopharyngeal insufficiency in VCFS could be the result of a more global craniospinal growth disorder the functional consequences of which remain unclear. The frequent association of morphological anomalies with mental retardation is probably responsible for the failure to normalize phonation.
INTRODUCTION:Velopharyngeal insufficiency is a frequent sign of the velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) but its origins are not well-documented. Our aim was to establish a correlation between this functional disorder and regional morphological anomalies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven of 36 patients presenting with VCFS could be included retrospectively. We measured cavum depth and velum length on lateral orthodontic X-rays, and assessed the relationship between these two measures. We compared these measures to those of reference populations. Postoperative phonation was assessed with an aerophonoscope. RESULTS: The patients presented with a short velum and a deep cavum. Cranium base and upper cervical spine were malformed in 22 of the 27 patients. Seventeen of the 23 assessed patients (66%) improved their phonation after surgery. DISCUSSION: Our data suggests that velopharyngeal insufficiency in VCFS could be the result of a more global craniospinal growth disorder the functional consequences of which remain unclear. The frequent association of morphological anomalies with mental retardation is probably responsible for the failure to normalize phonation.