Study of Persistent Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in Children Aged 7 to 12 With Operated Velopalatine Cleft Using Static and Dynamic MRI to Analyze Velopharyngeal Muscle Function

What this Trial Is About

Velopharyngeal insufficiency VPI occurs when the soft palate cannot properly separate the nasopharynx from the oropharynx, often affecting children with a velopalatine cleft despite prior surgery. This study focuses on children aged 7 to 12 years with repaired cleft palate or isolated cleft lip, aiming to analyze differences in velopharyngeal muscle movement, shape, position, and symmetry using static and dynamic MRI. The goal is to understand the causes of persistent VPI and improve personalized rehabilitation and surgical options. Participants will undergo real-time MRI scans performed while lying down using a specialized 3T MRI machine with head and neck coils. The scan setup includes an elastic strap to minimize head movement and a headset to reduce noise and allow communication during the procedure. The study groups include children with operated isolated labial cleft and children with operated velopalatal cleft showing varying severity and anatomical features related to VPI. During the study, researchers will measure ratios of pharynx diameter at rest and during speech, as well as distances between specific velar structures and the posterior pharyngeal wall. These assessments help evaluate velopharyngeal motor skills and anatomy. Participants will be monitored according to their follow-up at the hospital, and the study is expected to complete in June 2026, with detailed evaluation of velopharyngeal function using MRI techniques.

Etiological Study of Persistent Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in Children With Operated Velopalatine Cleft by Analysis of Velopharyngeal Motor Skills in Static and Dynamic MRI