Humans ; Palate, Soft ; Pharynx ; Snoring ; Uvula

uvula in a cleft palate patient are rare. Intraoral examination in a 14-month-old boy with a complete cleft lip and palate revealed a cystic lesion on the right uvula. The lesion was excised and push-back palatorrhaphy with Z-plasty on the uvula was performed. Histopathological examination diagnosed an epithelial cyst. We report a case of an epithelial cyst of uvula in a patient with a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.]]>
Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mouth ; Mouth Floor ; Palate ; Palate, Soft ; Uvula

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effectiveness of shortening the uvula muscle for the treatment of snoring. This new and simple procedure was developed to promote the elevation of the uvula position using a minimally invasive technique. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen habitual snorers were included in this study. In order to find the exact anatomical position of the uvula muscle, we first dissected the soft palate of a cadaver to better understand the exact anatomical location and structure of the uvula muscle. With this result, we developed a new surgical technique for treating snoring. The results of our surgery were evaluated by both the patient and bed partner before surgery, at 30 days, and 90 days after surgery respectively using the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Post-operative physical examinations showed superiorly displaced uvula position. The lower half of the soft palate and uvula were also anteriorly flexed. Those findings remained unaltered beyond the 90th post-operative day. The patient and bed partner snoring symptoms assessed by VAS were significantly improved compared to the pre-treatment values (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The uvula muscle shortening is an effective and simple method for the treatment of snoring.
Cadaver ; Humans ; Muscles ; Palate, Soft ; Physical Examination ; Snoring ; Uvula

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many people have been concerned about voice change after laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). A number of studies reported acoustic changes after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and LAUP. However, there have not been any reports on the association between anatomic change and acoustic results after LAUP. The purpose of this study is to analyze changes in the voice and changes in the vocal tract after LAUP and to evaluate whether the anatomical changes of vocal tract have an effect on the voice change or not. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: By using CSL, we analyzed fourteen LAUP cases on the formant frequencies of six vowels (/a/, /i/, /u/, /=, /o/, /e/) and four nasal consonants (/hana/, /eomma/, /eoungga/, /chiken/). By using MR image, we analyzed changes in the vocal tract eight weeks after LAUP with preoperative findings in three cases. RESULTS: In acoustic analysis, the second formant frequencies of /u/ and /= phonation were significantly reduced postoperatively compared to those of preoperative status. In imaging study of /u/ and /=, the uvula and soft palate were contracted, so coupling was occurred between nasal cavity and oropharynx in /u/ and /= phonation and the tongue was shifted toward posterior pharyngeal wall to compensate coupling. CONCLUSION: LAUP reduced the second formant of /u/ and /=, which did not result in serious voice changes.
Acoustics* ; Nasal Cavity ; Oropharynx ; Palate, Soft ; Phonation ; Tongue ; Uvula ; Voice*

Humans ; Palate, Soft ; surgery ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; surgery ; Uvula ; surgery

Since Fujita first described uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP)in 1981,UPPP and its modified procedures have been widely used to treat obstructive sleep apnea and hyponea syndrome(OSAHS).However,despite of its wide application,the success rates was uncertain,ranging from 20% to 80%,with patients of varing Friedman stages.It is well known that the principle of UPPP is to remove the redundant tissue of palate,elongated uvula and hypertrophic tonsils in order to widen the anteroposterior space at the level of palate.But recently,surgeons have found that not only the collapse of soft palate but also the collapse of lateral wall at the palate level can contribute to the obstruction of upper airway at the level of palate.As a result,many surgeries which can widen the lateral velopharyneal space have sprung up in these years.This review focuses on the development of techniques that emphasize the enlargement of lateral velopharyneal space in patients with OSAHS.
Humans ; Larynx ; Palate ; anatomy & histology ; Palate, Soft ; Pharynx ; anatomy & histology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy ; Uvula

soft palate, including the uvula, palate, tongue and lips. As an oral lesion, it raises concerns because of its clinical appearance, which may mimic exophytic carcinoma. Its pathogenesis is related to the human papilloma virus (HPV), but there is controversy regarding its viral origin. Many considered its pathogenesis as being from the HPV. But recent literature suggests that the presence of HPV may be merely an incidental finding unrelated to the development of a squamous papilloma. We accidentally found a patient not related to the HPV of oral squamous papilloma on the tongue, and we will report this case with literature review.]]>
Humans ; Hydrazines ; Incidental Findings ; Lip ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mucous Membrane ; Palate ; Palate, Soft ; Papilloma ; Tongue ; Uvula ; Viruses

Submucous cleft palate is defined as a bifid uvula, palatal muscle diastasis, and a notch in the posterior surface of the hard palate. Since submucous cleft palate is presently felt to be of clinical relevance only in the presence of velopharyngeal inadequacy, the evaluation and diagnosis of occult submucous cleft palate are only pursued if the patient has velopharyngeal incompetency. The age for surgical correction of submucous cleft palate is one of the most important factors determining the speech outcome of surgical treatment. The available evidence suggests that earlier repairs yield better speech results than late repairs and that later treatment is associated with a higher rate of velophryngeal incompetency. But, treatment of patients with submucous cleft palate depend on the diagnosis of the velopharyngeal incompetency and therefore nearly always occurs later than the time for optimal treatment. Twenty submucous cleft palate patients aged 5 to 12 years with normal hearing and intelligence who visited Yonsei university plastic and reconstructive surgery department from January 1993 to January 1996 were evaluated as an experimental group and nineteen children aged 7 to 12 years with normal hearing and intelligence who randomly selected from the Hyosung elementary school were evaluated as a control group.In this study we analyzed the cranial base and soft tissue structures in submucous cleft palate using velopharyngogram. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The survey of the nasopharynx with submucous cleft palate indicated that the angle of cranial base was outside the range toward the obtusity considering analysis of covariance. 2. The pharyngeal angle(Ba-S-PNS) exceeds normal limits and the ratio of anteroposterior distance of nasopharynx with submucous cleft palate is larger in submucous cleft palate group considering analysis of covariance. 3. The patients with submucous cleft palate have relatively short soft palate in the neutral state and during phonation. 4. The soft palate of submucous cleft palate patients has lessened mobility in submucous cleft palate group. 5. The distance between both lateral pharyngeal wall shows shorter in submucous cleft palate group only during "Su" phonation. From these result, the submucous cleft palate patients have relatively obtuse cranial base and wide nasopharynx of deficient velum with limited mobility, so velopharyngeal incompetency is inevitable.
Child ; Cleft Palate ; Diagnosis ; Hearing ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Nasopharynx ; Palatal Muscles ; Palate, Hard ; Palate, Soft ; Phonation ; Plastics ; Skull Base ; Uvula

PURPOSE: When MRI and CT of the oral cavity utilize the traditional closed-mouth approach, direct contact between the tongue and surrounding structures may give rise to difficulty in recognizing the anatomy involved and demonstrating the possible presence of pathologic features. we describe a more appropriate scan technique, involving open-mouthed imaging, which may be used to demonstrate the anatomy of the oral cavity in detail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Axial and coronal MR imaging and axial CT scanning were performed in 14 healthy volunteers, using both the closed and open-mouth approach. For the latter, a mouth-piece was put in place prior to examination. In all volunteers, open-mouth MR and CT examinations involved the same parameters as the corresponding closed-mouth procedures. The CT and MR images obtained by each method were compared, particular attention being paid to the presence and symmetry of motion artifact of the tongue and the extent of air space in the oral cavity. Comparative imaging analysis was based on the recognition of 13 structures around the boundaries of the mouth. For statistical analysis, Student 's t test was used and a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Due to symmetry of the tongue, a less severe motion artifact, and increased air space in the oral cavity, the open-mouth method produced excellent images. The axial and coronal MR images thus obtained were superior in terms of demarcation of the inferior surface and dorsum of the tongue, gingiva, buccal surface and buccal vestibule to those obtained with the mouth closed (p<0.05). In addition, axial MR images obtained with the mouth open showed better demarcation of structures at the lingual margin and anterior belly of the digastric muscle (p<0.05), while coronal MR images of the base of the tongue, surface of the hard palate, soft palate, and uvula, were also superior (p<0.05). Open-mouth CT provided better images at the lingual margin, dorsum of the tongue and buccal surface than the closed-mouth approach (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Open-mouth MRI and CT are both practical and useful for evaluation of the structures of the oral cavity. The images thus obtained are superior to those acqhired with the month closed.
Artifacts ; Gingiva ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mouth* ; Palate, Hard ; Palate, Soft ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tongue ; Uvula ; Volunteers

palate. The patient's congenital deformities had included oronasal fistula on the soft palate and bifid uvula. Furrow double-opposing Z-plasty was performed under general anesthesia. However, postoperative bleeding developed at ward. Despite the pressure of operative wound, venous oozing continued and hemoglobin concentration and RBC were decreased (Hb: 5.5g/dL, RBC: 1.98 x106/mm3). The patient was pale and confused and transferred to Surgical Intensive Care Unit(SICU). We could not keep the peripheral venous line and there was a high risk of hypovolemic shock. Emergency transfusion was performed through the central femoral venous line and emergency operation for bleeding control was carried out. We explored the operation site and found bleeding point from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Electrocoagulation and surgicel packing were carried out and bleeding was stopped.]]>
Anesthesia, General ; Cleft Palate ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Electrocoagulation ; Emergencies ; Fistula ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant ; Critical Care ; Palate, Soft ; Shock ; Uvula ; Wounds and Injuries