Neurofibrosarcoma of the palate associated with neurofibromatosis—primary or metastatic?

Unusual form of recurrent giant cell granuloma of the mandible and lower extremities in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1

We report on a girl with familial neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1) who at age 11 had multiple osteolytic lesions of the right mandible and the distal femoral and proximal tibial metaphyses bilaterally. No other skeletal component was affected, and no abnormalities were present on skeletal radiographs of her parents. Histologic examination of the mandibular and right femoral lesions revealed a "multinucleated giant cell process." Results of repeated routine laboratory and bone metabolic studies were within normal limits. The lack of reliable histologic criteria and the diagnostic problems in distinguishing among central giant cell granulomata, giant cell tumors of the jaw, cherubism, brown tumors resulting from (occult) hyperparathyroidism, Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome, McCune-Albright syndrome, Noonan-like/multiple giant cell lesion syndrome, and multiple nonossifying fibromas of bone are discussed.

Oral neurofibrosarcoma associated with neurofibromatosis type I

One of the most feared complications of neurofibromatosis type I (NF-I) is development of cancer, which is estimated to occur in about 5% of cases. The most common associated malignancy is the neurofibrosarcoma (NFS). HOwever, oral NFS in association with NF-I has rarely been reported. We report two cases of oral NFS arising in patients with NF-I. Both patients died of their tumors. Oral NFS arising in association with NF-I appears to have an extremely poor prognosis, as do these tumors at other sites of the body.

Jaw and skull changes in neurofibromatosis

Thirty-eight patients with neurofibromatosis were examined clinically and radiographically for manifestations of the disease in the head and neck region. Ninety-two percent of the sample had at least one intraoral or radiographic sign of the disease. This suggests that the incidence of jaw and skull involvement in neurofibromatosis may be greater than previously reported in the literature.

Multiple radiolucent areas of the jaw

A case of neurofibromatosis, or von Recklinghausen's disease, was presented. The skin manifestations include the development of numerous, variable sized, smooth-surfaced nodules (benign neural tumors) and asymmetric areas of hyperpigmentation called cafe-au-lait spots. Oral manifestations are not always apparent but, when they do occur, include multiple, discrete, nonulcerated mucosal nodules (typically benign neural tumors). Intraosseous tumors (usually neurofibromas) occasionally develop in the mandible as was reported in this patient. Clinicians should be aware of the characteristics of this hereditary disease, especially the possibility of malignant transformation of the neural tumors.

Neurofibromatosis: oral and radiographic manifestations

Oral manifestations of neurofibromatosis have been reported in only 4% to 7% of affected persons. All oral tissues, hard and soft, have been reported to be affected with tumors, but the tongue has been the most common site. We report on the oral and radiographic findings in twenty-two patients with neurofibromatosis. The prevalence of oral and radiographic findings in our sample was 72%, which is much higher than previously reported. The five most common findings are oral neurofibromas, enlarged fungiform papillae, intrabony lesions, wide inferior alveolar canals, and enlarged mandibular foramina.

[Neurogenic sarcoma of the head and neck with contact to the skull base (author's transl)]

The neurogenic sarcoma is a neoplasm found seldom. It descends from the sheaths of peripheric nerves. If this tumor develops from a solitary or multiple neurofibroma, it might also be called a neurofibrosarcoma. All other synonyms, especially that of the malignant schwannoma, should better be abandoned for histogenetic reasons. Today the classification of all tumors of the peripheral nervous system is based on a suggestion of the WHO from 1969. The tabular summary of the literature shows that only a little more than a hundred cases of neurogenic sarcoma of the head and neck were reported during the last 50 years. Differential diagnosis of this malignant tumor includes nearly all other malignant neoplasms of soft tissue, sometimes even anaplastic carcinoma. Histopathology, including electron microscopy, is described in general and also in detail with regard to three cases. Three forms of micro-morphological variants are dealt with, too. For diagnosis histological examination will be absolutely successful only in cases of neurofibromatosis or in cases where the nerve from which the tumor originates may be identified. Otherwise, conventional and computerized X-ray tomography may be helpful. Finally, some therapeutic and prognostic principles are discussed.