Citations

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether successful surgical management of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) aids in the remediation of compensatory misarticulation errors (CMAs) among children with VPI and CMAs. Method: Fourteen participants with VPI and use of CMAs from a larger study were included in this retrospective cohort study. The mean age at the time of preoperative evaluation was 8.9 years ( SD = 1.1). Perceptual ratings of hypernasality, phonetic transcription, and anatomic measurements from magnetic resonance imaging were performed by raters blinded to the participants' medical and surgical history. The mean percentage of CMAs produced on the American English Sentence Sample was calculated. The Wilcoxon signed-ranks test was used to compare the change in CMA use pre- and postoperatively. During the study period, 71% ( n = 10) of participants received speech therapy. Results: Nine participants had resolved hypernasality after surgery, and five had persistent hypernasality. Among those with resolved hypernasality, the mean percentage of CMAs significantly decreased from 14.6% preoperatively to 1.1% postoperatively ( p = .028). For participants with persistent hypernasality, the mean percentage of CMAs decreased from 27.6% to 22%; this change was not significant ( p = .586). Conclusions: Correction of VPI may aid in the remediation of CMAs as participants have more normal anatomy to achieve velopharyngeal closure. These findings suggest correction of VPI may reduce the amount of speech therapy needed to treat CMAs.

Objective Describe surgical decision making and outcomes in a series of patients with persistent VPI after pharyngeal flap placement that were all treated with revision palatoplasty. Design Retrospective, case series. Participants Five patients with nonsyndromic cleft palate and persistent hypernasality following a pharyngeal flap. On MRI, 3 patients presented with an incohesive levator veli palatini muscle, and 4 patients had a pharyngeal flap that was below the palatal plane. Interventions One patient underwent straight-line intravelar veloplasty (IVVP), 2 patients underwent pharyngeal flap take-down and IVVP, and 2 patients underwent pharyngeal flap take-down and palate lengthening with buccal myomucosal flaps. Main Outcome Measure Pre- and postoperative resonance. Results Four of five patients (80%) achieved normal resonance 12 months postoperation. Conclusions Revision palatoplasty may be an effective approach for treating patients with persistent hypernasality following a pharyngeal flap. MRI may aid in surgical selection based on patient-specific anatomical findings.

Objective Evaluate the effectiveness of a digital home monitoring program for infants with cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP ± L), compared to monitoring through in-person clinic visits. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting One metropolitan pediatric hospital. Patients Eight-eight infants with CP ± L: 41 infants received digital home monitoring and 47 infants were monitored solely through in-person visits. Interventions Beginning in September 2022, all infants with CP ± L were enrolled in a digital home monitoring program, in which caregivers weighed their child weekly at home and submitted those weights, along with subjective evaluations of their child's feeding, using a secure website. Submissions were monitored by the cleft team nurse coordinator. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was the incidence of malnutrition at 4 months of age. The secondary outcome was the average number of in-person clinic visits during the first 4 months of life. Results There was not a significant difference ( P = .764) in the incidence of malnutrition between infants monitored in-person compared to infants in the home monitoring program (13% vs 17%). Infants in the home monitoring program had fewer in-person visits with speech–language pathology (5.4 vs 3.9; P < .001). Across groups, malnutrition was associated with Child Protective Services involvement ( P = .001) and presence of a syndrome ( P = .014). Conclusions The digital home monitoring program did not decrease the incidence of malnutrition, but it did reduce the number of speech–language pathology in-person visits. The program appears to distinguish infants who are gaining weight appropriately from those with feeding challenges, but it does not fully address the multifactorial contributors to malnutrition.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceptual ratings of hypernasality made during connected speech and velopharyngeal (VP) gap size measured in millimeters in the sagittal plane during sustained vowel production using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Method: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was completed. A subgroup of 110 participants from another study with an M age of 10.1 years presenting for management of VP insufficiency was included. Perceptual ratings of hypernasality during connected speech and measurement of gap size during sustained /i/ production on MRI were performed by raters blinded to the participants' medical and surgical history. Results: There was a moderate-to-strong, positive correlation ( r = .61; p < .001) between hypernasality ratings and VP gap size measured on MRI using sustained /i/. The odds of a higher hypernasality rating increased as the gap size increased (odds ratio = 1.34; 95% CI [1.20, 1.49]; p < .001). The predicted probability for hypernasality ratings of none/minimal/mild steadily decreased as the gap size increased indicating that lower ratings of hypernasality were associated with smaller gap sizes. For the rating of “moderate” hypernasality, the predicted probability of the rating steadily increased up to 8 mm and then decreased as the gap size continued to increase. The predicted probability for a hypernasality rating of “severe” consistently increased as the gap size increased. Conclusions: Hypernasality ratings made at the connected speech level were significantly associated with VP gap size as measured during sustained vowel production. These findings suggest sustained vowel production elicited on MRI may adequately characterize VP gap size in the evaluation of VP insufficiency.

Introduction The levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle has two segments with distinct roles in velopharyngeal function. Previous research suggests longer extravelar segments with shorter intravelar segments may lead to a more advantageous mechanism for velopharyngeal closure. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the distribution of the LVP intravelar and extravelar segments differs between children with cleft palate with and without VPI and controls. Methods The study included 97 children: 37 with cleft palate +/- lip with VPI, 37 controls, and 19 with cleft palate with normal resonance. Measures included mean LVP length, mean extravelar LVP length, and intravelar LVP length. Results Overall mean LVP length was similar ( P = .267) between controls and children with cleft palate (with and without VPI). However, there was a significant difference ( P < .001) between group for both intravelar and extravelar LVP lengths: the intravelar segment was significantly longer in those with VPI compared to controls and children with cleft palate and normal resonance; and the extravelar segment was significantly shorter in those with VPI compared to controls and children with cleft palate and normal resonance. Conclusions Results from this study demonstrate a significant difference between the distribution of the functional segments of the LVP among children with VPI, with a more disadvantageous distribution of the muscle segments among those with VPI.

Importance Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more likely to develop complications and die from the disease than the US general population. Digital storytelling interventions are narrative-based videos elicited through a community-based participatory research approach to surface the authentic voices of participants overcoming obstacles to health-promoting behaviors that perpetuate health inequities; research on the effect of digital storytelling on T2D outcomes among Hispanic adults is lacking. Objective To assess the impact of a digital storytelling intervention on glycemic control and its acceptability among Hispanic patients with poorly controlled T2D. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a multicenter, randomized clinical trial conducted within 2 primary care networks in Minnesota and Arizona among Hispanic adults with poorly controlled T2D (hemoglobin A 1c level ≥8%). Enrollment and follow-up were conducted between February 14, 2019, and November 1, 2023. Intervention The intervention group viewed a 12-minute digital storytelling video. The video included 4 Spanish-language stories that reinforced 4 diabetes self-management behavioral goals (healthful diet for diabetes, physical activity, medication adherence, and glucose self-monitoring). The control group received printed, culturally tailored T2D education materials. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the mean change from baseline to 3 months for hemoglobin A 1c levels, adjusting for baseline hemoglobin A 1c , age, gender, education, and income. Acceptability and narrative quality of the intervention were assessed through questionnaires. Results There were 451 study participants, with 227 (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [9.3] years; 158 [69.3%] women) randomized to the intervention group and 224 (mean [SD] age, 54.5 [9.1] years; 156 [69.3%] women) to the control group. Of these, 390 completed 3-month follow-up of the primary outcome (86% retention). There was a small improvement in the mean (SD) hemoglobin A 1c level in the intervention group compared with the control group in the adjusted model (9.1% [1.7] to 8.4% [1.6] vs 9.4% [1.8] to 8.8% [2.0]; P = .04] but not in the unadjusted model. Acceptability and narrative quality of the intervention were high. Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial, a digital storytelling intervention developed with and for Hispanic adults with T2D was highly acceptable and feasibly implemented within primary care settings and resulted in a modest improvement of glycemic control. This was a highly scalable intervention that may be integrated into clinical practice as part of a longitudinal diabetes self-management program for Hispanic adults. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03766438

Objective Compare the effectiveness of palatoplasty and pharyngoplasty procedures at resolving hypernasality in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Metropolitan children's hospital. Patients Fourteen patients with 22q presenting for management of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Interventions Palatoplasty or pharyngoplasty procedure. Main Outcome Measure Resolution of hypernasality 12 months postoperatively. Results Both procedure groups had a mean preoperative velopharyngeal gap of 6.2 mm during phonation. No patient who underwent palatoplasty achieved resolution of hypernasality; 1/7 patients had worse hypernasality, 4/7 had no change, and 2/7 had improved hypernasality. In contrast, hypernasality was resolved in 6/7 patients in the pharyngoplasty group, which was significantly ( P = .03) higher than the palatoplasty group. Conclusions In patients with 22q, palatoplasty procedures may be less effective than pharyngoplasty procedures at resolving hypernasality. This may be due to underlying anatomic or physiologic differences, such as increased pharyngeal depth and hypodynamic muscles.

Objective To investigate whether flexible nasopharyngoscopy, when performed in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), influences the type of surgery selected or success of surgery in patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Design Cohort study. Setting A metropolitan children's hospital. Patients Patients with non-syndromic, repaired cleft palate presenting for management of VPI. Interventions MRI and nasopharyngoscopy or MRI alone for preoperative imaging of the velopharyngeal mechanism. Main Outcome Measures (1) Surgical selection and (2) resolution of hypernasality. All speech, MRI, and nasopharyngoscopy measurements were performed by raters blinded to patients’ medical and surgical history. Results Of the 25 patients referred for nasopharyngoscopy, 76% completed the exam. Of the 41 patients referred for MRI, the scan was successfully completed by 98% of patients. Completion of nasopharyngoscopy was significantly (p=0.01) lower than MRI. Surgical selection did not significantly differ (p=0.73) between the group receiving MRI and nasopharyngoscopy and the group receiving MRI alone, nor was there a significant difference between these groups in the proportion of patients achieving resolution of hypernasality postoperatively (p=0.63). Percent total velopharyngeal closure assessments on nasopharyngoscopy and MRI were strongly correlated (r=0.73). Conclusions In patients receiving MRI as part of their preoperative VPI evaluation, the addition of nasopharyngoscopy did not result in a difference in surgical selection or resolution of hypernasality. Routine inclusion of nasopharyngoscopy may not be necessary for the evaluation of velopharyngeal anatomy when MRI is available.

Background: Secondary Furlow (Furlow) and buccal myomucosal flaps (BMMF) treat velopharyngeal insufficiency by lengthening the palate and retropositioning the levator veli palatini muscles. The criteria for choosing one operation over the other remain unclear. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. Thirty-two patients with nonsyndromic, repaired cleft palate were included. All patients underwent a Furlow or BMMF. Outcome measures included (1) resolution of hypernasality 12 months postoperatively, (2) degree of improvement of hypernasality severity; and (3) change in velar length, as measured on magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. All measures were performed by raters blinded to participants’ medical and surgical history. Results: Hypernasality was corrected to normal in 80% of the Furlow group and in 56% of the BMMF group. Patients receiving BMMF had more severe hypernasality during preoperative speech evaluation. Both groups had a median decrease of two scalar rating points for severity of hypernasality (P = 0.58). On postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, patients who underwent Furlow had a median increased velar length of 6.9 mm. Patients who received BMMF had a median increased velar length of 7.5 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding increase in velar length (P = 0.95). Conclusions: Furlow and BMMF procedures increase velar length with favorable speech outcomes. The same degree of improvement for hypernasality was observed across groups, likely explained by the similar increase in velar length achieved. Anatomic changes in palate length and levator veli palatini retropositioning persist 1 year after surgery.

Abstract Mammographic breast density (MBD) has been shown to be a strong, independent risk factor for breast cancer (BC) irrespective of race/ethnicity. Given the risk association of MBD and its potential to mask tumors on a mammogram, state and federal laws have mandated that women receive information regarding their personal MBD in their mammography reports. However, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of MBD notification on patient anxiety, especially written information for women who experience health disparities such as racial/ethnic minorities, lower health literacy, limited English proficiency and lower socioeconomic status. We performed a randomized controlled clinical trial to examine the impact of three different written and interpersonal approaches to MBD notification on patient anxiety, BC worry, and self-perceived BC risk, among Latinas receiving routine mammography screening at a federally qualified medical center (FQHC). We hypothesized that interpersonal education would reduce anxiety and worry, relative to the written notifications alone. The study was performed at the Baseline Clinic of Mountain Park Health Center, a FQHC in Phoenix, AZ. Women between ages 40 and 74 years presenting for screening mammogram were eligible. After providing signed informed consent, participants were randomized equally to usual care (UC- mailed notification letter); enhanced care (notification letter and MBD educational brochure designed for this study): interpersonal care (notification letter, brochure, promotora education via telephone). A stratified block randomization procedure was used with age &gt; 50 years (yes vs no), ethnicity (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic), and language preference (Spanish vs. English) as strata. Study participants completed surveys at the time of enrollment/pre-intervention (T0), at two weeks to six months after intervention was delivered (T1), and about one year after randomization (T2). Anxiety state was measured using the state anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale (STAI-S) (range from 20-80). BC worry was probed using the question: “How frequently do you worry about getting breast cancer someday”. The self-perceived lifetime risk of BC was rated between 0% (no chance of BC) to 100% (definitely will get BC). The proportion of participants with an increase or persistence of higher level for each outcome between time points was compared between the three study groups. The study was approved by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board. 1332 Latina women were enrolled and randomized between October 2016 and October 2019. All completed the baseline (T0) survey, 928 completed T1, 632 completed T2, and 516 completed both T1 and T2 surveys. At study entry, majority of the participants were young (64.1% between age 40-49 years), had no family history of breast cancer (81.0%), had less than high school education (68.8%), and were married or partnered (67.8%). At T0, the mean (SD) anxiety STAI score was 32.5 (11.1); 51.8% with moderate or severe anxiety (score &gt; 30). With regard to BC worry, 41.3% reported worrying “sometimes”, “often”, or “almost all the time”. Further, 25.4% reported a self-perceived lifetime risk of developing BC of &gt;10% while only 6.6% had a Gail model estimated lifetime risk score of &gt;10%. There was no significant difference in changes in anxiety, BC worry or self-perceived risk from T0 to either T1 or T2 surveys between the intervention groups. In summary, this study found high levels of baseline anxiety and BC worry (despite the majority being 40-49 years old and having no family history of BC) which persisted regardless of how notification and education were delivered. Future work is needed to improve the understanding of factors that could lower anxiety and BC worry and improve risk perception in this population. Citation Format: Karthik Ghosh, Sarah Jenkins, Jennifer Ridgeway, Jessica D. Austin, Bijan Borah, Bhavika K. Patel, Deborah Rhodes, Aaron Norman, Edna P. Ramos, Matt Jewett, Crystal Gonzalez, Valentina Hernandez, Davinder Singh, Vera Suman, Celine Vachon. Breast Density Notification: Impact on anxiety, breast cancer worry, and self-perceived risk among Latinas at a federally qualified medical center. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-38.