Abstract:
Up to 30% of children with cleft palate will develop a severe speech disorder known as velopharyngeal insufficiency. Management of velopharyngeal insufficiency typically involves structural and functional assessment of the velum and pharynx by endoscopy and/or videofluoroscopy. These methods cannot provide direct evaluation of underlying velopharyngeal musculature. MR imaging offers an ideal imaging method, providing noninvasive, high-contrast, high-resolution imaging of soft-tissue anatomy. Furthermore, focused-speech MR imaging techniques can evaluate the function of the velum and pharynx during sustained speech production, providing critical physiologic information that supplements anatomic findings. The use of MR imaging for velopharyngeal evaluation is relatively novel, with limited literature describing its use in clinical radiology. Here we provide a practical approach to perform and interpret velopharyngeal MR imaging examinations. This article discusses the velopharyngeal MR imaging protocol, methods for interpreting velopharyngeal anatomy, and examples illustrating its clinical applications. This knowledge will provide radiologists with a new, noninvasive tool to offer to referring specialists.
摘要:
高达30%的腭裂儿童会发展为严重的言语障碍,称为咽喉功能不全。咽喉功能不全的治疗通常涉及通过内窥镜和/或视频荧光镜检查对膜和咽部的结构和功能评估。这些方法不能直接评估潜在的咽喉肌肉组织。MR成像提供了一种理想的成像方法,提供非侵入性,高对比度,软组织解剖的高分辨率成像。此外,聚焦语音MR成像技术可以评估持续语音产生过程中的脑膜和咽部的功能,提供补充解剖学发现的关键生理信息。使用MR成像进行咽喉评估相对较新,有限的文献描述了它在临床放射学中的应用。在这里,我们提供了一种实用的方法来执行和解释咽喉MR成像检查。本文讨论了喉部MR成像协议,解释咽喉解剖的方法,以及说明其临床应用的例子。这些知识将为放射科医师提供新的,提供给转诊专家的非侵入性工具。