OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility and actuality of MR imaging on diagnosis and evaluation of velopharyngeal insufficiency preoperatively.

METHODSSince 2002, six patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency were examined with MRI using midsagittal, coronal, and axial images, contrast with radiography, to affirm configuration and movements of soft palate, posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls, and velopharyngeal opening for the choices of following surgeries.

RESULTSMRI visualizes directly and measures objectively the shorter soft palate, confined movements of soft palate, lateral or/and posterior pharyngeal wall, and deeper and enlarged velopharyngeal opening, which were coincided with clinical symptoms and affirmed by observations in the following operations, surpassing radiography.

CONCLUSIONSMRI is effective, actual, and uninvasive in imaging and measuring the velopharyngeal insufficiency, thus has a potential role in investigation and planning surgical repairs.