MRI with synchronized audio to evaluate velopharyngeal insufficiency

Abstract

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.