Paediatric velopharyngeal insufficiency following adenotonsillar surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Paediatric velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a known but rare complication following adenotonsillar surgery that can have significant adverse effects on the communication as well as psychological well-being of the patient and their family. We sought to assess risk factors, aetiology, assessment and management of these patients through a dedicated multidisciplinary clinic. METHODS: Retrospective data collection was performed for patients seen in the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children multidisciplinary VPI clinic from the 1st of January 2015 until 30th of April 2020. Paediatric patients with previous adenotonsillar surgery and no evidence of cleft palate or speech and language disorder were included in the study. RESULTS: 29 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 16 having previous adenotonsillectomy and 13 isolated adenoidectomy. In our VPI clinic, patients were seen on average for 4.9 occasions over a 38.3-month period. Clinical assessment was conducted using GOS.SP.ASS '98 speech assessment tool, speech videofluoroscopy and nasoendoscopy, as per individual needs. The main cause of post-adenoidectomy VPI was identified in 72.5% of the cases. Speech videofluoroscopy was performed in 27 cases. Associated anatomic features identified included deep pharynx (37%), long palate (22.2%) and variable levator position. Severe hypernasality was noted in 3 patients, while in 20 cases moderate or mild hypernasality was found. There were no patients with normal speech. Ten patients were treated with speech therapy alone, whereas surgical intervention was required in seventeen cases. In the population who received treatment and had adequately recorded follow-up, improvement in speech was noted in 86.9%, with 30.4% having oral resonance on last review. Of the patients with severe hypernasality, all improved but had some persistent hyper nasality on last clinic review. CONCLUSIONS: We present our multidisciplinary management of post adenoidectomy VPI. Through the investigations in our dedicated specialist VPI clinic, the cause of VPI was found more frequently than in previous reports in the literature. Intense treatment is usually required with lengthy follow-up and multiple attendances in VPI clinic. Main modalities of management include SLT, surgery and speech prostheses. Most patients' speech will improve with intervention. We highlight the importance of early recognition, referral and a multi-disciplinary approach in treating this condition. We advise ENT surgeons to ensure patients are adequately aware of this complication given its potential impact.

Impact of orthodontic appliances on the quality of craniofacial anatomical magnetic resonance imaging and real-time speech imaging.

AIMS: The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of commonly used orthodontic appliances on the magnetic resonance (MR) image quality of the craniofacial region, with special interest in the soft palate and velopharyngeal wall using real-time speech imaging sequences and anatomical imaging of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and pituitaries. METHODS: Common orthodontic appliances were studied on 1.5 T scanner using standard spin and gradient echo sequences (based on the American Society for Testing and Materials standard test method) and sequences previously applied for high-resolution anatomical and dynamic real-time imaging during speech. Images were evaluated for the presence and size of artefacts. RESULTS: Metallic orthodontic appliances had different effects on image quality. The most extensive individual effects were associated with the presence of stainless steel archwire, particularly if combined with stainless steel brackets and stainless steel molar bands. With those appliances, diagnostic quality of magnetic resonance imaging speech and palate images will be most likely severely degraded, or speech imaging and imaging of pituitaries and TMJ will be not possible. All non-metallic, non-metallic with Ni/Cr reinforcement or Ni/Ti alloys appliances were of little concern. LIMITATIONS: The results in the study are only valid at 1.5 T and for the sequences and devices used and cannot necessarily be extrapolated to all sequences and devices. Furthermore, both geometry and size of some appliances are subject dependent, and consequently, the effects on the image quality can vary between subjects. Therefore, the results presented in this article should be treated as a guide when assessing the risks of image quality degradation rather than an absolute evaluation of possible artefacts. CONCLUSIONS: Appliances manufactured from stainless steel cause extensive artefacts, which may render image non-diagnostic. The presence and type of orthodontic appliances should be always included in the patient's screening, so the risks of artefacts can be assessed prior to imaging. Although the risks to patients with fixed orthodontic appliances at 1.5 T MR scanners are low, their secure attachment should be confirmed prior to the examination.