Platybasia in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Is Not Correlated with Speech Resonance

Background An abnormally obtuse cranial base angle, also known as platybasia, is a common finding in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). Platybasia increases the depth of the velopharynx and is therefore postulated to contribute to velopharyngeal dysfunction. Our objective was to determine the clinical significance of platybasia in 22q11DS by exploring the relationship between cranial base angles and speech resonance. Methods In this retrospective chart review at a tertiary hospital, 24 children (age, 4.0-13.1 years) with 22q11.2DS underwent speech assessments and lateral cephalograms, which allowed for the measurement of the cranial base angles. Results One patient (4%) had hyponasal resonance, 8 (33%) had normal resonance, 10 (42%) had hypernasal resonance on vowels only, and 5 (21%) had hypernasal resonance on both vowels and consonants. The mean cranial base angle was 136.5 degrees (standard deviation, 5.3 degrees; range, 122.3-144.8 degrees). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant relationship between the resonance ratings and cranial base angles (P = 0.242). Cranial base angles and speech ratings were not correlated (Spearman correlation = 0.321, P = 0.126). The group with hypernasal resonance had a significantly more obtuse mean cranial base angle (138 degrees vs. 134 degrees, P = 0.049) but did not have a greater prevalence of platybasia (73% vs. 56%, P = 0.412). Conclusions In this retrospective chart review of patients with 22q11DS, cranial base angles were not correlated with speech resonance. The clinical significance of platybasia remains unknown.