Headand neck diseases in infantsand children poseverydifficultbutextremelyinterest­ ing diagnostic and differential diagnostic problems for all physicians responsible for the correct management of these young patients. Thedevelopment and clinical introduction,duringthe past two decades,ofnewhigh­ performance diagnostic imaging modalities such as sonography, computed tomogra­ phy and MRI has allowed striking progress in the visualization and interpretation of the findings in manypathological conditions (congenital,developmental,infectiousand tumoral) involving the ENT area in infants and children. This book intends to provide the latest update in our imaging knowledge ofthe head and neck region in infants and children and is a very welcome addition to our book series "Medical Radiology", which aims to cover all new developments in the field of diagnostic imaging. It will be of particular interest to pediatricians, pediatric radiolo­ gists and ENT surgeons and will hopefully assist them in their daily clinical practice. I am very grateful to Dr. S. King and Dr. A.E. Boothroyd, both well-known pediatric radiologists, for accepting editorial responsibility for this volume. I would like to con­ gratulate them and all the contributing authors on their comprehensive approach, the exhaustive content of the volume and the superb presentation and illustrations. This book can be considered the standard reference on the topic for the coming years. I am also indebted to Professor Helen Carty, world leader in pediatric radiology, for her inspiration in the conception ofthis work. As always I would appreciate any positive critiques that readers maywish to express.