Skeletal fibrous dysplasia produces changes that are usually readily recognized on plain radiographs. Occasionally, routine radiography may not demonstrate the characteristic appearance of the disease. The density of abnormal bone in craniofacial fibrous dysplasia may preclude adequate assessment of areas where soft-tissue impingement may occur. Computed tomography (CT) is useful in demonstrating the amorphous "ground-glass" texture of the lesion and in defining the extent of craniofacial disease including impingement upon orbital structures. CT was useful in five patients with fibrous dysplasia in whom the nature or extent of involvement was not entirely clear.