Value of computed tomography in histiocytosis X of the base of the skull in children

Five cases of histiocytosis X involving the base of the skull in children are reported two were inaugural and three occured in the course of known histiocytosis. The authors emphasize the very important anatomo-clinical dissociation between poor clinical findings and very extensive anatomical lesions. Antero-posterior and lateral plain film of the skull may misjudge such lesions and are inadequate. CT plays a dominant role in this diagnosis because of the ability to identify bone destruction, soft tissue involvement and intracranial histiocytosis more accurately. The authors try to define the specific CT signs of the principal lesions encountered