MRI with synchronized audio to evaluate velopharyngeal insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous-acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-quality synchronized audio recording for evaluating velopharyngeal closure.

DESIGN

Institutional Review Board-approved case series.

SETTING

Tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

Three healthy adult volunteers with a normal speech pattern.

INTERVENTIONS

MRI with simultaneous recorded audio files evaluating velopharyngeal closure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Precise imaging and audio coordination of specific phonatory tasks.

RESULTS

Synchronization of MRI and audio in all three adults.

CONCLUSION

Our novel imaging and audio protocol provides simultaneous acquired MRI with synchronized high quality audio for evaluating velopharyngeal closure. This technique may provide the opportunity to improve diagnosis and surgical planning in patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency.