Abstract:

Objective〓〖WTBZ〗To explore the possible reasons, diagnosis and treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy. 〖WTHZ〗Method〓〖WTBZ〗16 cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency including 14 cases of soft palate dysfunction and 2 cases of soft palate dysfunction with hard palate perforation were retrospectively analyzed. [WTHZ]Results〓〖WTBZ〗The radiotherapy dose of this group was from 68 to 75 Gy and an average of 70Gy. Velopharyngeal insufficiency occurred within 5 years after radiotherapy and an average of 8.3 years, and it mainly had open rhinolalia and transnasal-reflux. Position-pressure eating, palate back-plate use and nasal cavity irrigation relievedthe symptoms. 〖WTHZ〗Conclusion〓〖WTBZ〗Velopharyngeal insufficiency slowly develops in patients with NPC after radiotherapy. With a routine dose, radiotherapy is not the key factor for velopharyngeal insufficiency, moreover individual differences may be more important. Hard palate perforation may be the result of chronic ischemic, and it may be relieved by suitable treatments.

Key words: Radiation oncology, Velopharyngeal insufficiency

Nasopharyngeal neoplasm