Quantification of Velopharyngeal Closure Function in Cleft Patients Using Four Dimensional Computed Tomography

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17151
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Yoshikazu 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (00622797)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 放射線 / 4D-CT / バーチャル内視鏡 / 鼻咽腔閉鎖機能 / 口唇口蓋裂

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A patient with residual velopharyngeal insufficiency after speech therapy underwent surgery. Preoperative and postoperative 4D-CT imaging was performed, and the findings obtained from 4D-CT were compared with those from nasopharyngoscopy. The concordance rate between the two examinations was 63%.
In addition, 4D-CT imaging of the patients who had acquired normal articulation postoperatively was performed again, analyzed as data without velopharyngeal insufficiency, and compared with the preoperative images. No trend was found in the pre- and postoperative changes in soft palate length and soft palate thickness, but the soft palate elevation angle and the cross sectional area of nasopharyngeal closure dysfunction both showed improvement after surgery.

Free Research Field

外科系歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで定性評価が中心であった口唇口蓋裂患者における鼻咽腔閉鎖機能の動態解析および定量化に成功した。さらなる症例の蓄積により、鼻咽腔閉鎖機能不全のメカニズム解明や、術式選択の基準制定に貢献しうることが期待される。