Pigmented (melanotic) diffuse neurofibroma of the back in neurofibromatosis type 1

Diffuse Neurofibroma in a Micronesian Male

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, with variable clinical features, most commonly including café-au-lait macules and neurofibromas. The incidence of NF1 is approximately one in 3,000 individuals. Diffuse neurofibroma is the rarest subtype of neurofibromas. We present a case of a 39-year-old Micronesian male presenting with a substantially large and heavy overgrowth on his back, found to be consistent with diffuse neurofibroma on histopathologic examination. The patient also met the diagnostic criteria for NF1 based on clinical examination. Imaging showed the dermal and subcutaneous thickening without deep extension into the underlying fascial layer or muscles. A patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach was taken in the workup and management of this case. Our patient expressed disinterest in surgical interventions.

Clinical presentation and genetic analyses of neurofibromatosis type 1 in independent patients with monoallelic double de novo closely spaced mutations in the NF1 gene

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) belongs to RASopathies, a group of syndromes caused by germline mutations in Ras/MAPK pathway genes. Most NF1 patients exhibit single inactivating pathogenic variants within the NF1 gene. We performed extensive genetic analyses in two NF1 families disclosing the first two cases of double de novo monoallelic NF1 variants. Both index patients described in this study had classical NF1. Probands were born from fathers in their late 30s and presented closely spaced double mutations (<100 bp) in NF1 regions showing an excess of somatic mutations. Closely spaced multiple mutations have been reported in RAS/MAPK signaling genes but never in NF1. Mutagenesis is a quasi-random process in humans, therefore two causative variants in the same gene, moreover in the same allele are exceptional. Here, we discuss possible mechanisms for this ultrarare event. Our findings confirm the possibility of a higher risk of concurrent de novo variants in NF1.