Magnetic resonance imaging of the levator veli palatini muscle before and after primary palatoplasty.

Objective: To explore the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of patients with cleft palate before and after primary palatoplasty with particular attention focused on the levator veli palatini muscle.

Design: Prospective study using MRIs of subjects before and after primary cleft palate surgery.

Setting: Hospital and university based.