Abstract
Objective: 1) Determine the feasibility of transoral ultrasound imaging in evaluating palatal anatomy using a human cadaver model. 2) Describe ultrasound findings in patients with a submucous cleft palate.
Method: Ultrasound imaging of the soft palate in twenty fresh human cadaver specimens was performed using the Sono Site M Turbo system. In two specimens, the soft palate was imaged ex vivo to better evaluate the anatomy. Ultrasound imaging was then performed in three living patients with a submucous cleft palate.
Results: The uvularis and levator sling were identified by ultrasound in each cadaver specimen. In each of the three patients with a submucous cleft palate, absence of the central uvularis muscle and discontinuity of the levator sling was seen on ultrasound imaging. The abnormal anatomy was confirmed after surgical exploration during the palatoplasty.
Conclusion: Ultrasound imaging of normal velopharyngeal muscle is possible in human cadaver specimens. These results suggest that ultrasound imaging has potential in identifying patients with an occult submucous cleft palate. Ultrasound could help determine the appropriate surgery when formulating treatment for patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency without an obvious cleft palate.
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