Computed tomography in the diagnosis of maxillofacial mass lesions in younger children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the CT findings of maxillofacial mass lesions in younger children and to discuss the effectiveness of CT in their differential diagnosis.


METHODS
CT findings of 17 patients (age range, 0 years 5 months to 3 years 3 months) with histopathologically proven maxillofacial mass lesions were retrospectively evaluated. About two-thirds (11/17) comprised congenital lesions or more common lesions in infancy or younger children.


RESULTS
Hemangiomas, dermoid cysts and ranulas in this age group presented characteristic CT findings in common with those occurring in adults. Two invasive lesions (melanotic neuroectodermal tumor and aggressive fibromatosis) had irregular margins and the latter also showed aggressive bone destruction. Two angiomas had irregular margins. A fibrosarcoma showed expansile bone destruction but had a regular margin.


CONCLUSIONS
CT was useful in demonstrating the extent of maxillofacial mass lesions in children and for surgical treatment planning. Although some invasive lesions could be correctly diagnosed on the basis of CT, its diagnostic value in differentiating malignant from benign maxillofacial lesions in younger children was limited.
Kurabayashi
T
T
Department of Dental Radiology and Radiation Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Ida
M
M
Yoshimasu
H
H
Yoshino
N
N
Sasaki
T
T
D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017599:Neuroectodermal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging