An unusual etiology of velopharyngeal insufficiency

Abstract

Velopharyngeal insufficiency is usually associated with cleft palate. However, there are also other causes for signs of velopharyngeal insufficiency in speech. We describe an unusual etiology of hypernasality and nasal air emissions in a 5-year-old boy. Based on clinical, logopedic, neuropsychological, nasometric and videofluoroscopic examinations we concluded that velopharyngeal insufficiency in the present patient was associated with clutter-stuttering. We emphasize the need for thorough examinations of the etiology of velopharyngeal insufficiency in children without cleft palate for designing adequate treatment.

Key Words:

• velopharyngeal insufficiency
• hypernasality
• stuttering
• cluttering