Assessment of the nasopharyngeal area by cephalometry in cases of cleft lip and palate.

The nasopharyngeal area in 149 patients with cleft lip and palate and 157 normal individuals was evaluated by cephalometric radiography. The patients were male and female Caucasians, ranging in age from 12 to 16 years. Linear cephalometric parameters: (Ptm'-Sl; Ptm'-IPPF; IPPF-I, I-Ptm'), ANS angle and nasopharyngeal area were utilized. From comparative analysis of nasopharyngeal area in the cleft and the control groups, the following conclusions were made: 1) The nasopharyngeal area was smaller in the cleft group. 2) There was no correlation between ANS angle and nasopharyngeal area in either group.