Cervical vascular and upper airway asymmetry in Velo-cardio-facial syndrome: correlation of nasopharyngoscopy with MRA.

Purpose: Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), the most common genetic syndrome causing cleft palate, is associated with internal carotid and vertebral artery anomalies, as well as upper airway asymmetry. Medially displaced internal carotid arteries, often immediately submucosal, present a risk of vascular injury during pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). We evaluate the frequency and spectrum of cervical vascular anomalies in a large cohort of VCFS patients correlating MRA with nasopharyngolaryngoscopy in detecting at risk carotid arteries.

Radiologic diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis: pictorial review.

Objective: Cerebral venous thrombosis is often associated with nonspecific clinical complaints. In addition, the imaging findings are often subtle. Underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis can lead to severe consequences, including hemorrhagic infarction and death.

Predicting deep neck space abscess using computed tomography.

Purpose: To investigate objective measures that could increase the positive predictive value of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing deep neck space infections (DNSIs).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients surgically treated at a tertiary care hospital for DNSIs for more than 2 years were reviewed. Patients who had had CT with contrast scanning suggestive of deep neck space abscess within 24 hours before surgery were included.

Pharyngeal flap and the internal carotid in velocardiofacial syndrome.

Internal carotid artery anomalies have been documented as a common clinical feature in velocardiofacial syndrome. There has been some controversy over the need for preoperative imaging procedures, such as magnetic resonance angiography, when planning pharyngeal surgery for correcting velopharyngeal insufficiency. The purpose of this article is to describe 20 patients with velocardiofacial syndrome who received comprehensive evaluation and underwent pharyngeal flap surgery within a 2-year period and to report the technique used for dissecting the flap and the surgical outcomes.