Examining Age, Sex, and Race Characteristics of Velopharyngeal Structures in 4- to 9-Year-Old Children Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the growth of the various craniofacial and velopharyngeal structures and examine sex and race effects. Methods: Eight-five healthy children (53 white and 32 black) with normal velopharyngeal anatomy between 4 and 9 years of age who met the inclusion criteria and successfully completed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were included in the study. Results: Developmental normative mean values for selected craniofacial and velopharyngeal variables by race and sex are reported. Facial skeleton variables (face height, nasion to sella, sella to basion, palate height, palate width) and velopharyngeal variables (levator muscle length, angle of origin, sagittal angle, velar length, velar thickness, velar knee to posterior pharyngeal wall, and posterior nasal spine to levator muscle) demonstrated a trend toward a decrease in angle measures and increase in linear measures as age increased (with the exception of posterior nasal spine to levator muscle). Only hard palate width and levator muscle length showed a significant sex effect. However, 2 facial skeleton and 6 velopharyngeal variables showed a significant race effect. The interactions between sex, race, and age were not statistically significant across all variables, with the exception of posterior nasal spine to posterior pharyngeal wall. Conclusion: Findings established a large age-and race-specific normative reference for craniofacial and velopharyngeal variables. Data reveal minimal sexual dimorphism among variables used in the present study; however, significant racial effects were observed.

Morphological variation of the velum in children and adults using magnetic resonance imaging

“…Changes in velar shape are likely due to growth of the velum as children mature. Previous studies have reported that growth led to increased velar length and velar thickness 2223. These anatomical changes likely result in the presence of certain velar shapes in adults.…”

Velopharyngeal Structural and Muscle Variations in Children With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: An Unsedated MRI Study

“…Preliminary studies have demonstrated the validity and reliability of using MRI protocols in young children with normal anatomy (Tian et al, 2010a; Tian et al, 2010b; Kollara et al, 2016; Perry et al, 2017; Perry et al, 2018). Because no significant differences have been reported regarding the position in which MRI data are collected, participants were imaged in the supine position (Perry, 2011; Kollara and Perry, 2014).…”

Differences in the Tensor Veli Palatini Muscle and Hearing Status in Children With and Without 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

“…Children with 22q11DS were recruited through use of flyers that were disseminated and posted on social media sites to make available to all patients who met the following inclusion criteria: (1) diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion as confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis or microarray, (2) between 4 and 12 years of age, (3) have a negative history of overt cleft or other genetic disorders, and (4) were no less than 6 months post adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy. Individuals with normal velopharyngeal and craniofacial anatomy were selected from a larger data set (Perry et al, 2018) and were chosen because they represented individuals who were similar in age to those in the 22q11DS group. Parents of the participants in the control group indicated no history of hearing loss, chronic ear infections, ear infections at the time of the study, or prior surgeries.…”