THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON CRANIOFACIAL SKELETAL GROWTH - A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

To determine whether radiation delivered to children treated for head and neck cancer causes deformity, we performed a quantitative analysis for craniofacial asymmetry. A total of 42 patients, with either rhabd omyosarcoma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma, treated between 1980 and 1991 , were analyzed. Exclusions included 16 subjects, leaving 26 children of mixed race and gender with a median age at diagnosis of 13 years (r ange: 2-18) and a median age at follow-up of 4 years (range: 3-37). Da ta from 14 measurements of the cranium and facial skeleton, for which normative data exist, were recorded. Symmetry of the face and head wer e determined and each measurement was compared to age specific standar ds. Deviation occurred in the cranial vault, the anterior and mid-inte rorbital distances and lateral orbital wall length. Asymmetry existed in the medial and lateral orbital wall lengths and the zygomatic arche s. We conclude that, children irradiated for head and neck malignancie s, have significant alterations in some skeletal measurements indicati ve of treatment induced asymmetry and potential deformity. (C) 1998 Pu blished by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.