Effect of irradiation on facial growth: a 7- to 25-year follow-up.

This retrospective study is a review of 41 patients who had received irradiation to the head and face during the growth period. Not only is growth of soft tissue and bone of the irradiated area noticeably affected, but other parts of the face can also be involved, especially if the dose is to the upper face and the cranial base. We were able to define a definite cutoff point for a harmful dose for growing facial bones, but the harmful dose for soft tissue could not be determined and may be as low as 400 rads.