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Neurofibroma / Neurofibromatosis



- See:
    - Congenital Pseudarthrosis:
    - Sarcoma Menu
    - Neurofibromatosis Foundation

- Discussion:
    - neurofibroma is a benign tumor of neural origin;
    - has an autosomal dominant trait w/ variable penetrance & high rate of spontaneous mutation;
          - it is the most common single gene disorder (1 in 3000);

    - presentation:
          - neurofibromas are most commonly found in skin and subQ tissue or associated w/ nerve fibers;
          - tumors may be solitary or multiple (multiple neurofibromas are most common);
          - may affect patients of any age;
          - most neurofibromas present as an active stage 2 tumors, but aggresive
                  stage 3 infiltratrive forms may be seen occasionally;
          - long standing neurofibromatosis may undergo malignant transformation to
                  neurosarcoma, which is often heralded by a new onset neurologic deficit;
    - diff dx:
          - fibrous dysplasia:
          - proteus syndrome:
                  - a disorder characterized by congenital hamartomas;
                  - hemihypertrophy, partial gigantism of hands or feet, skin nevi, subcutaneous tumors, and skull hyperostosis;
                  - no cafe-au-lait spots and no neurofibromas are encountered;
                  - disorder may stem from abnormal growth hormone metabolism;
                  - ref: Musculoskeletal manifestations of Proteus syndrome: report of two cases with literature review.
                            S. Stricker.   J. Pediatric Orthopaedics. Vol 12. 1992. p 667-674.

- Associated Anomalies:
        - cervical spine kyphosis;
        - scoliosis:
        - congenital psuedarthrosis of clavicle;
        - pseudoarthrosis of extremities:
              - congenital psuedarthrosis of tibia: (anterolateral bowing)
              - pseudoarthrosis of radius:
        - gigantism of the limb:
        - erosive defects from contiguous tumors;
        - multiple fibrous cortical defects;
        - subperiosteal calcifying hematoma;

- MRI:
    - demonstrates an oval, avascular tumor;
    - neurofibroma is frequently seen as a fusiform mass in continuity w/ major nerve best demonstrated by MRI;

- Histology:
      - loose, spindle cell stroma containing wavy eosinophilic fibrillar material;
      - verocay bodies may be seen;
          - composed of amorphorous eosinophilic material that is surrounded by spindle shaped or oval cells;

- Treatment:
    - scoliosis:
    - congenital psuedarthrosis of tibia: (anterolateral bowing)
    - excision of neurofibroma:
          - some neurofibromas infiltrate a peripheral nerve, thereby precluding en bloc extra capsular marginal excision w/o damaging the nerve;






  The orthopedic manifestation of neurofibromatosis. A clinical experience and review of the literature.

  Pitfalls of spinal deformities associated with neurofibromatosis in children.

  Scoliosis surgery in neurofibromatosis.

  Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation in neurofibromatosis spinal problems.

  Cervical spine abnormalities in neurofibromatosis.

  Spine deformity in neurofibromatosis. A review of one hundred and 2 patients

  Congenital pseudarthrosis of the leg. Late results.

  Unusual orthopedic manifestations of neurofibromatosis.

  Neurofibromatosis of the cervical spine. A report of eight cases.

  Pathophysiology of spinal deformities in neurofibromatosis. An analysis of seventy-one patients who had curves associated with dystrophic changes.

  Neurofibromatous scoliosis. Natural history and results of treatment in thirty-seven cases.









Original Text by Clifford R. Wheeless, III, MD.