Radiographic demonstration of oronasal fistulas in patients with cleft palate with the use of barium sulfate contrast.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the overlapping and unique contributions that radiographic techniques might provide for accurate characterization of hard palate fistulas associated with cleft palate. Five subjects with oronasal fistulas were selected for radiographic imaging, and their informed consent was obtained. Results indicated that radiographs with contrast can provide important supplemental and unique information. Qualitative descriptions of the inferior-superior course and location, and the size of the narrowest aperture could be obtained from the combination of maxillary occlusal, posteroanterior tomographic, and lateral tomographic projections. This information could not be obtained from the common clinical methods in use to describe fistulas. This technique can provide valuable information to all members of a multidisciplinary cleft palate team to document palatal fistulas for both clinical and research purposes.