Axial and peripheral skeletal features of von Recklinghausen's disease in the African

• Published in: Journal of the National Medical Association Vol. 80; no. 11; pp. 1205 - 1207
• Main Authors: IJADUOLA, G. T. A, ADEMILUYI, S. A, OLALOYE, O. A, OLAREWAJU, D. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare, NJ Slack 01-11-1988
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging; Bone and Bones - pathology; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Humans; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Nervous system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous; Neurofibromatosis 1 - diagnostic imaging; Neurofibromatosis 1 - pathology; Neurology; Nigeria; Original Communications; Radiography; Tropical medicine; Human; Skin disease; Nervous system diseases; Phacomatosis; Africa; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Nigeria; Neurofibromatosis Recklinghausen
• ISSN: 0027-9684; 1943-4693

A study of axial and peripheral skeletal features of von Recklinghausen's disease in 26 Nigerian African adults has been carried out. Widened intervertebral foramina were the commonest lesions in the axial skeleton of these patients. They occurred in 24 (92.30 percent) of all cervical vertebrae; 20 (76.92 percent) of all lumbar vertebrae; and 16 (61.53 percent) of all thoracic vertebrae. Six (23.08 percent) had lumbar scoliosis. Dysplastic pedicles appeared in 4 (14.38 percent). Malignant changes with bony erosion occurred in two (7.69 percent). Dumbbell features of intraspinal involvement were observed in one patient. It is suggested that in view of the protean nature of presentation of this disease, physicians should always bear it in mind in cases of unusual skeletal lesions and watch carefully for its identifying signs.