Multi Detector Computed Tomography Application in Diagnosis and Interventional Management of Facial and Neck Swellings in Children

Background: Facial and neck swellings are frequently encountered in pediatric medicine, and can present a diagnostic dilemma for the clinicians involved. Neck imaging has always been a diagnostic challenge. Multi-Detector row Computed Tomography is an important imaging modality for characterization and presurgical evaluation of neck masses. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the Multi Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) in diagnosis and interventional management of facial and neck swellings in children. Patients and methods: This is a prospective study included 18 patients (7 males and 11 females) their age range from 8 months to up to 16 years, who were referred to radio diagnosis department from clinical departments at Zagazig University hospitals for assessment of facial and neck swellings by ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) during the period from January 2019 to July 2019. Results: the CT diagnosis of this study was 16.6% hemangioma, venous malformation and lymphatic malformation same percentage 11.11%, benign soft tissue tumor and facial bone tumor due to thalassemia same percentage 5.55%, congenital swelling 16.6% and infectious facial and neck swellings 22.22%.Sixty percentage of cases after sclerotherapy had complete lesion obliteration and 40 % of them had partial lesion obliteration. Sensitivity of MDCT 87.5%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 50% and accuracy 90%. Conclusions: MDCT imaging is useful for quick and accurate assessment of facial and neck swelling and the possible improvement of any vascular territory in facial and neck swellings by minimal invasive technique of interventional radiology.