Abstract
Validity of Computerized Tomography(CT) in evaluation o f velopharyngeal closure was examined. CT of the velopharynx in 5 normal subjects and 5 cleft palates were taken both at rest and during phonation /a/ or /i/. To obtain CT during phonation, CT apparatus with the scanning time of 4.5 seconds was used. It was revealed that the mobility of velopharyngeal closure, which is composed by elevation of the soft palate, inward movement of the lateral pharyngeal walls, and protrusion of the retropharynx, was clearly visualized in a single roentgenogram. Through the use of this rather simple CT technique, rational choice of treatment for cleft palates with velopharyngeal insufficiency seemed possible.
