Computed tomography of pediatric craniofacial sarcoma

Review of the clinical and roentgenographic findings in 16 children with craniofacial sarcomas has revealed that CT is the most accurate method for delineation of the sarcomas and is indispensable for proper therapy planning and post therapy evaluation. The patients were examined and treated according to a protocol which required a CT examination before any type of therapy and after each mode of therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy alone was noted to produce marked reduction in tumor volume. The orbital sarcomas, which are most frequent, are small tumors without bone destruction. On the other hand, the nasopharyngeal, paranasal sinus and middle ear sarcomas are large tumors frequently associated with extensive bone destruction.