[Management of plexiform neurofibroma isolated in childhood: four patients]

[Management of cervico-cephalic plexiform neurofibromas: About 35 cases]

OBJECT

Plexiform neurofibroma is a characteristic lesion of Von Recklinghausen's disease. Conservative surgery is the most widely adopted treatment. However, it is very challenging because of its hemorrhagic nature and the infiltrative aspect of the lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate our management.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A retrospective study over 16 years was realized and during this period 35 patients with neurofibroma with cervico-facial location were included.

RESULTS

There were 18 men and 17 women with an average age of 23 years (3-50 years). The familial form was found in 9% of patients. Aesthetic discomfort was noted in all patients and functional impairment only occurred in 10% of patients. The NFP was localized at the hemiface in 11 cases, periorbital in 6 cases, naso-labial in 5 cases, scalp in 4 cases, jugal in 4 cases and cervico-chin in 5 cases. Size of the lesions averaged 11.6cm (4-45cm). Eighteen patients (51.4%) were operated including 10 by modeling resection, 05 cervico-facial lifting and 3 complete resections. Complication rate was 28% dominated by disunion wound. The average number of procedures was 1.6 (1 to 5). After 3 years average follow-up, aesthetic et functional results was assessed as good over 75 per cent of patients.

CONCLUSION

Cervico-facial plexiform neurofibromas is challenging. Conservative surgery should be the gold standard and long time follow-up is recommended.

[Plexiform cervical neurofibroma: about a case]

Le neurofibrome plexiforme est une tumeur bénigne rare des nerfs périphériques aux dépens des cellules conjonctives du périnevre. Il est pathognomonique de la neurofibromatose de type 1 (NF1 ou maladie de Von Recklinghausen). L'IRM est d'une grande aide au diagnostic de cette pathologie. La confirmation anatomopathologique est parfois nécessaire en particulier en dehors d'un contexte évocateur d'une NF1. Nousrapportonsl'observation d'une petite fille atteinte de neurofibrome plexiforme cervical révélateur d'une neurofibromatose Type 1.

Isolated plexiform neurofibroma mimicking a vascular lesion

Plexiform neurofibromas are benign tumors originating from peripheral nerve sheaths, generally associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). They are diffuse, painful and sometimes locally invasive, generating cosmetic problems. This report discusses an adolescent patient who presented with an isolated, giant plexiform neurofibroma on her leg that was confused with a vascular lesion due to its clinical aspects. Once the diagnosis was confirmed by surgical biopsy, excision of the lesion was performed with improvement of the symptoms.

[A rare cause of cervical swelling in a child: Solitary plexiform neurofibroma]

Plexiform neurofibroma is a rare benign tumor of the peripheral tissue cells developed in the perineurium. Often considered pathognomonic of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1 or von Recklinghausen disease), it can be solitary without NF1, especially in children. The diagnosis is essentially pathological and treatment is primarily surgical to avoid malignant degeneration. We report on a case of cervical solitary plexiform neurofibroma discovered in a 9-year-old child.