Abstract
Plexiform neurofibroma is generally considered as a component of neurofibromatosis 1, and a great majority of the cases with plexiform neurofibroma display other symptoms related to neurofibromatosis. Plexiform neurofibromas occur frequently in the head and neck region due to the rich innervation of the area, however appear rarely in the extremities. We report here an isolated giant plexiform neurofibroma involving the common peroneal nerve branches without symptoms related to neurofibromatosis in a 5-year-old case. Surgical excision was performed due to pain and numbness in the leg, and against the possibility of malignant transformation due to sudden growth observed in the tumor. One month following the excision of all the reachable tumoral tissues, tendon transfer surgery was performed for the ankle and toe extensions. Our case stands as the only reported case of isolated giant plexiform neurofibroma involving the common peroneal nerve in the pediatric age.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Korf BR Plexiform neurofibromas (1999) Am J Med Genet 26;89(1):31–37
Crawford AH, Schorry EK (2006) Neurofibromatosis update. J Pediatr Orthop 26(3):413–423
Lin V, Daniel S, Forte V (2004) Is a plexiform neurofibroma pathognomonic of neurofibromatosis type I? Laryngoscope 114(8):1410–1414
Packer RJ, Gutmann DH, Rubenstein A, Viskochil D, Zimmerman RA, Vezina G, Small J, Korf B (2002) Plexiform neurofibromas in NF1: toward biologic-based therapy. Neurology 28;58(10):1461–1470
Hope DG, Mulvihill JJ (1981) Malignancy in neurofibromatosis. Adv Neurol 29:33–56
Lin J, Martel W (2001) Cross-sectional imaging of peripheral nerve sheath tumors: characteristic signs on CT, MR imaging, and sonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 176(1):75–82
Salazar F, Machado A, Murthy S, Boulis NM (2005 ) Thoracoscopically guided transaxillary resection of adjoining intercostal plexiform neurofibromas: review of mosaicism in neurofibromatosis: technical note. Neurosurgery 57(4 Suppl):E407; discussion E407
Wise JB, Cryer JE, Belasco JB, Jacobs I, Elden L (2005) Management of head and neck plexiform neurofibromas in pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 131(8):712–718
Pu LL, Vasconez HC (2004) Large recurrent plexiform neurofibroma of the foot and ankle. Microsurgery 24(1):67–71
Blitz NM, Hutchinson B, Grabowski MV (2002) Pedal plexiform neurofibroma: review of the literature and case report. J Foot Ankle Surg 41(2):117–124
Nagel A, Greenebaum E, Singson RD, Rosenwasser MP, McCann PD (1994) Foot drop in a long-distance runner. An unusual presentation of neurofibromatosis. Orthop Rev 23(6):526–530
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cebesoy, O., Tutar, E., İsik, M. et al. A case of isolated giant plexiform neurofibroma involving all branches of the common peroneal nerve. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 127, 709–712 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-007-0303-1
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-007-0303-1