The role of electromyography in the diagnosis of velopharyngeal insufficiency: our experiences.

The subject of this study is the electromyographic investigation of the velopharyngeal sphincter structures. Seventy-five patients underwent examination, both patients with symptoms of velopharyngeal insufficiency and patients who were thought to have latent pathological sphincter changes based on local findings. A control group of 10 healthy examinees was also investigated. On the basis of electromyographic findings we divided patients into 2 groups: 57 patients without neuromuscular disorders and 18 patients with neuromuscular disorders of the velopharyngeal sphincter. Twelve patients from the latter group had acute, and 6 had chronic lesions of the velopharyngeal sphincter. Particular cases of illness within these 2 groups were investigated further. This study shows the usefulness of electromyography for diagnosing the exact causes of velopharyngeal insufficiency and for choosing the best approach to treatment.