Uvular Dermoid Cyst: More Than Just a Lump in the Throat—Management of Resultant Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

Abstract

To seal the passage between the nasal and oral cavities during speech and swallowing, velopharyngeal closure is required. However, in velopharyngeal dysfunction, uncoupling of the nasal and oral cavities can be impaired, resulting in hypernasality, nasal air emission, and decreased vocal intensity. Velopharyngeal dysfunction can develop following velopharyngeal mislearning, oral surgery, or a congenital palatal malformation. Rare dermoid cysts of the palate may interrupt normal palatal development, resulting in velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). While speech therapy is the standard treatment, some cases may necessitate surgical correction of structural insufficiencies. In this report, we present the case of a 7-year-old female with a past surgical history of a uvular dermoid cyst removal at 14 months of age with VPI that was treated with Furlow Z-palatoplasty. To the author’s knowledge, this is one of but a few cases of a uvular dermoid cyst with VPI.