Application of cine computed tomography to the assessment of velopharyngeal form and function

The mechanism of velopharyngeal closure is clearly three-dimensional in nature. Numerous attempts have been made to obtain a comprehensive picture of velopharyngeal movement, with varying degrees of success. A computed tomography scan system has recently been developed that may be used for real-time motion study of various body systems. This preliminary study was designed to assess the applicability of multi-level cine computed tomography scanning as a tool in the three-dimensional analysis of the velopharynx. One normal speaker and one speaker with an unrepaired palatal cleft were asked to phonate while serial sections were taken at 650-millisecond intervals through a number of transverse sections in the velopharyngeal region. This paper includes an explanation of cine CT technology, examples of scans on two speakers with clearly different velopharyngeal mechanisms, and discussion of the potential use of cine computed tomography as a tool in the analysis of both normal and disordered velopharyngeal function.