Velopharyngeal inadequacy

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Velopharyngeal inadequacy
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Synonyms	Velopharyngeal dysfunction, VPD
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Hypernasal speech, Nasal air emission, Articulation disorder
Complications	Speech disorders, Social anxiety, Communication difficulties
Onset	Usually diagnosed in childhood
Duration	Can be chronic if untreated
Types	N/A
Causes	Cleft palate, Submucous cleft palate, Adenoidectomy, Neurological disorders
Risks	Genetic syndromes, Craniofacial anomalies
Diagnosis	Nasopharyngoscopy, Videofluoroscopy, Speech assessment
Differential diagnosis	Adenoid hypertrophy, Allergic rhinitis, Speech sound disorder
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Speech therapy, Surgical intervention, Prosthetic devices
Medication	None specific, but speech therapy may involve various techniques
Prognosis	Good with appropriate treatment
Frequency	More common in individuals with cleft palate
Deaths	N/A

A condition affecting speech due to improper closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter

Velopharyngeal inadequacy (VPI) is a disorder characterized by the improper closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter, which is the muscular valve that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity during speech. This condition can lead to hypernasal speech and other speech problems.

Causes

VPI can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Cleft palate: A congenital condition where there is an opening in the roof of the mouth.
• Submucous cleft palate: A less obvious form of cleft palate where the cleft is covered by the mucous membrane.
• Neurological disorders: Conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy that affect muscle control.
• Surgical complications: Following surgeries such as adenoidectomy or cleft palate repair.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of VPI is hypernasal speech, where too much air escapes through the nose during speech. Other symptoms may include:

• Nasal air emission
• Weak or muffled speech
• Difficulty pronouncing certain consonants

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of VPI typically involves a combination of:

• Speech evaluation: Assessment by a speech-language pathologist.
• Nasopharyngoscopy: A procedure using a flexible scope to view the velopharyngeal mechanism.
• Videofluoroscopy: An imaging technique to observe the movement of the velopharyngeal structures during speech.

Treatment

Treatment options for VPI may include:

• Speech therapy: To improve articulation and reduce hypernasality.
• Surgical intervention: Procedures such as pharyngeal flap surgery or sphincter pharyngoplasty to improve closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter.
• Prosthetic devices: Such as a speech bulb or palatal lift to aid in closure.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with VPI varies depending on the underlying cause and the effectiveness of treatment. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes.

See also

• Cleft lip and palate
• Speech disorder
• Phonetics