Craniofacial tumors

The management of craniofacial tumors is presented, beginning with a discussion of terminology and anatomy. The importance of imaging is stressed. The significance of the internal carotid artery and an investigation of cerebral artery supply also are given. The most significant advances in the treatment of these tumors have been the soft-tissue approaches, but methods of disassembling the bony face for the ultimate in exposure are also important. Free tissue transfer has been a great advance in reconstruction and prevention of infection and in giving some patients a second chance for further radiation. With the application of newer techniques of exposure and resection, together with vascularized reconstruction, the prognosis from these tumors has improved and the complications have been reduced.