Dr. Chang Published in Neuroradiology Journal on Velopharyngeal Dysfunction

Pretty exciting news!  Dr. Chang has co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article on the topic of velopharyngeal dysfunction  that was published in the June 2019 journal of Neurographics . Most of his other co-authors all belong to the Department of Radiology at the University of Virginia. Velopharyngeal dysfunction or insufficiency (VPI) is a condition when the soft palate does not close properly separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity during speech and swallow. Watch the video …

6/07/2019 0

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Ways to Surgically Correct Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI)

Recently, a video was created describing a medical condition called velopharyngeal insufficiency or VPI. This medical condition is characterized by hypernasal speech and if severe enough, food and liquid nasal regurgitation during swallow. Essentially, VPI is due to a persistent opening between the soft palate and back wall during speech. This continuous opening allows air escape during speech and food/liquid nasal regurgitation during swallow if severe enough. A new video (shown above)…

1/05/2019 0

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What is Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI)? [VIDEO]

Velopharyngeal insufficiency or VPI is a difficult medical condition for patients who are not medical professionals to understand. This video attempts to explain what VPI is... VPI is a medical condition characterized by hypernasal speech and if severe enough, food and liquid nasal regurgitation during swallow. During normal speech and swallow, the soft palate closes tight against the back wall of the pharynx thereby completely separating the nasal cavity from the mouth. In patients s…

12/22/2018 0

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Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) After UPPP or Uvula Excision Surgery

Image 1 : Normal open position One of the main risks of uvula excision and UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) surgery to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea is velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). This complication is when the soft palate is not able to adequately lift and close off the back of the nose from the throat.  When the VPI is large, food and liquids can come out the nose during swallow and there may be a hyper-nasal speech quality. When the VPI is very small, a patient ma…

6/10/2016 0

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New Video on Treatment of Hyper-Nasal Speech by Injection

Our office has created a new video that we have uploaded that shows how hyper-nasal speech can be corrected via injection of filler agents under endoscopic guidance. Keep in mind that this procedure ONLY works with small velopharyngeal insufficiency . Hyper-nasal speech  occurs when there is too much nasal airflow during speech as opposed to hypo-nasal speech (ie,  nasal obstruction ) which occurs when there is little or no nasal airflow during speech. In either case, the voice sounds &qu…

11/13/2012 0

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New Video Example of a Failed Pharyngeal Flap for VPI

A new video has been posted of an exam showing a patient with a pharyngeal flap that failed to correct his hypernasal speech. Historically, the patient had a cleft lip and palate that was repaired and because of a persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency producing hypernasal speech, a pharyngeal flap was performed. However, this flap was not successful as the hypernasal speech persisted. The reason for the persistent hypernasal speech in spite of the pharyngeal flap was made apparent on flex…

3/28/2008 0

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