Facial plexiform neurofibroma in a child with neurofibromatosis type I: a case report

• Published in: Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 30 - 35
• Main Authors: Patil, K, Mahima, V G, Shetty, S K, Lahari, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01-03-2007; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Bag of worms; Cafe-au-Lait Spots - etiology; cafι au lait macules; Child; Dentistry; Facial Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Facial Neoplasms - pathology; Facial Neoplasms - surgery; Humans; Male; Neurofibroma, Plexiform - diagnostic imaging; Neurofibroma, Plexiform - pathology; Neurofibroma, Plexiform - surgery; Neurofibromatosis; Neurofibromatosis 1 - complications; Neurofibromatosis 1 - diagnosis; neurofibromatosis type-I; plexiform neurofibroma; Radiography; von Recklinghausen′s disease
• ISSN: 0970-4388
• DOI: 10.4103/0970-4388.31987

Plexiform neurofibroma is a non-circumscribed, thick and irregular benign tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath. It is a virtually pathognomonic and often disabling feature of neurofibromatosis type I. The diffuse and soft nature of plexiform neurofibroma is often compared to 'a bag of worms' and is difficult to distinguish from a vascular malformation or a lymphangioma, thus necessitating thorough clinical and histopathological examination and imaging of the lesion. We present a case of plexiform neurofibroma in a 12-year-old male child.