Neurogenic tumors of the head and neck in children

A retrospective analysis of deep-seated neurogenic tumors of the head and neck in children seen at the University of Michigan Medical Center was done. There were 22 patients--10 with plexiform neurofibromas, 3 with neurofibromas, 2 with esthesioneuroblastomas, 2 with neurilemmomas, 1 with neurogenous sarcoma, and 4 with neuroblastomas who presented with a mass in the head and neck. Delay in diagnosis and treatment was common, and merely allowed the tumor to enlarge. We feel that surgical extirpation is the preferred treatment for benign or malignant neurogenous tumors, with adjuvant therapy in other forms for malignant tumors only.