Histology of the Pharyngeal Constrictor Muscle in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Non-Syndromic Children with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
2011

Muscle Histology in Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Sample size: 16 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Widdershoven Josine C. C., Spruijt Nicole E., Spliet Wim G. M., Breugem Corstiaan C., Kon Moshe, Mink van der Molen Aebele B.

Primary Institution: Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Hypothesis

Is there a myogenic component to the etiology of velopharyngeal insufficiency in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome?

Conclusion

The study found no histological differences in the pharyngeal constrictor muscle between children with and without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Supporting Evidence

  • Muscle specimens were available for 16 children, eight with 22q11DS and eight without.
  • No structural differences were seen between histological specimens from children with and without 22q11DS.
  • Increased perimysial and endomysial space was seen equally in both groups.
  • Qualitative analysis revealed no morphologic differences between PCM muscles in children with and without 22q11DS.

Takeaway

The researchers looked at muscle samples from kids with a specific syndrome and found that their muscles looked similar to those without the syndrome, which means the muscle problems might not be the reason for their speech issues.

Methodology

Muscle specimens were taken from children undergoing velopharyngoplasty, and histological evaluations were performed to compare muscle fiber characteristics.

Limitations

The study did not include a control group of PCM specimens from children without velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Participant Demographics

16 children, 8 with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and 8 without, ages around 6.5 to 7 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021672

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