Velopharyngeal insufficiency

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a medical condition where the velopharyngeal sphincter (soft palate muscle in the back of the throat) is unable to close completely during the production of speech sounds, leading to a nasal quality of voice. This condition can be congenital or acquired and is often associated with cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies.

Causes

The causes of velopharyngeal insufficiency can be divided into two main categories: congenital and acquired. Congenital causes include cleft palate, submucous cleft palate, and other craniofacial anomalies. Acquired causes include adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoids), tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils), and trauma to the throat or neck.

Symptoms

The main symptom of velopharyngeal insufficiency is a nasal quality of voice, also known as hypernasality. Other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, nasal regurgitation of food and liquids, and speech articulation problems.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of velopharyngeal insufficiency is typically made by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) through a combination of perceptual speech assessment, instrumental assessment (such as nasopharyngoscopy or videofluoroscopy), and patient history.

Treatment

Treatment for velopharyngeal insufficiency depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Options may include speech therapy, prosthetic devices, and surgery. The goal of treatment is to improve the function of the velopharyngeal sphincter and reduce symptoms.

See also

• Cleft palate
• Speech-language pathology
• Nasopharyngoscopy
• Videofluoroscopy

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