Stress velopharyngeal incompetence: Two case reports and options for diagnosis and management.

Abstract

Stress velopharyngeal incompetence (SVPI) commonly affects brass and wind musicians. We present a series of two patients who presented with nasal air emission following prolonged woodwind instrument practice. Neither patient demonstrated audible nasal air emission during speech, but endoscopy revealed localized air escape/bubbling from different sites for each patient with instrument playing only. Both underwent tailored surgical treatment with resolution of symptoms during performance. Diagnosis of SVPI requires examination during the action that induces VPI to allow for directed management. Treatment should be targeted based on nasopharyngoscopy findings.

• Authors: Nikhila Raol, Gillian Diercks, Cheryl Hersh, Christopher J Hartnick
• Journal: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology (Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol) Vol. 79 Issue 12 Pg. 2456-9 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 1872-8464 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 26531005 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adolescent
• Endoscopy
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Music
• Stress, Physiological
• Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (diagnosis, surgery)