Abstract #1527
Anatomic Imaging of the Soft Palate During Phonation as an Aid in Cleft Palate Presurgical Planning
Soltysik D, Jesmanowicz A, Gosain A, Hyde J
Medical College of Wisconsin
Improved SNR in imaging of the soft palate in seven normal adults is reported at 3T using an 8-channel head coil. The purpose of the study was to develop a protocol that can be used with children of age 5 to 10. Both 7 and 14 s scan times during phonation of vowels and nasoconsonants were evaluated. In addition, high resolution images of the soft palate could routinely be obtained in one minute scans without motional artifacts by instructing the subject to rest and nose breathe. The soft palate rests statically against the tongue during sustained nose breathing.