ANTERIOR SKULL BASE NON-BONE MALIGNANT-TU MORS - PREOPERATIVE IMAGING

Imaging is fundamental in pre-operative evaluation for cancers of ante rior cranial base and ethmoido-sphenoidal region, particulary because clinical examination is poorly contributive and cannot evaluate the tu moral extension. Radiological data are based on CT-scan and MRI. The f irst goal of radiological evaluation is to recognize the presence of a tumor and to differentiate it from inflammatory lesions, which is not always very easy. The second aim is the evaluation of tumoral extensi on, particulary towards the intra-cranial cavity and the orbit. It lea ds to an extension grading which is essential for the choice of a ther apeutic strategy (inductive chemotherapy, surgical approach, radiother apy). The third goal of imaging examination is the evaluation of tumor al response to pre-operative inductive chemotherapy.