Neurofibromatosis type 1 (musculoskeletal manifestations)

Changed by Calum Worsley, 18 Oct 2022
Disclosures - updated 12 Apr 2022: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Musculoskeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), or von Recklinghausen disease, are relatively common among these patients, with skeletal abnormalities occurring in up to 50% of them 1.

For a general discussion of the underlying condition, please refer to the article on neurofibromatosis type 1

Clinical presentation

Mass effect and pressure-induced changes caused by skin and soft tissue enlargement associated with plexiform neurofibromas may cause deformities on the underlying bone.

Spinal deformities are common in patients with NF1, occurring in up to 50%. Scoliosis is most common and can occur in 21% of NF1 patients 1.

Bowing and pseudoarthrosispseudarthrosis are related to mesodermal dysplasia and can occur in a variety of bones, but commonly affects the tibia. 

Neoplasms

In result of the inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene, NF1 is also associated with increased incidence of numerous tumours, such as rhabdomyosarcoma.

Radiographic features

The imaging spectrum includes

  • -<p><strong>Musculoskeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), </strong>or <strong>von Recklinghausen disease,</strong> are relatively common among these patients with skeletal abnormalities occurring in up to 50% of them <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>For a general discussion of the underlying condition, please refer to the article on <a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1">neurofibromatosis type 1</a>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Mass effect and pressure-induced changes caused by skin and soft tissue enlargement associated with <a href="/articles/plexiform-neurofibroma">plexiform neurofibromas</a> may cause deformities on the underlying bone.</p><p>Spinal deformities are common in patients with NF1, occurring in up to 50%. Scoliosis can occur in 21% of NF1 patients<sup> 1</sup>.</p><p>Bowing and pseudoarthrosis are related to mesodermal dysplasia and can occur in a variety of bones, but commonly affects the tibia. </p><h5>Neoplasms</h5><p>In result of the inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene, NF1 is also associated with increased incidence of numerous tumours, such as <a href="/articles/rhabdomyosarcoma">rhabdomyosarcoma</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>The imaging spectrum includes</p><ul>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/kyphoscoliosis">kyphoscoliosis</a></li>
  • -<li>
  • -<a href="/articles/vertebral-scalloping">vertebral scalloping</a>: can be associated with dural ectasia or neurofibromas</li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/lateral-thoracic-meningocele-1">intrathoracic meningocele</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/dural-ectasia">dural ectasia</a></li>
  • -<li>hypoplastic posterior elements: thinning of the pedicles, transverse processes, and lamina</li>
  • -<li>transverse process spindling</li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/enlarged-neural-foramina">enlarged neural foramina</a></li>
  • -<li>
  • -<a href="/articles/ribbon-ribs-deformity">ribbon rib deformity</a>, <a href="/articles/rib-notching">rib notching</a>, and dysplasia</li>
  • -<li>extrinsic pressure may result in deficient bone formation that could be expressed as cortical thinning, erosive defects, sclerosis, and periosteal proliferation</li>
  • -<li>
  • -<a href="/articles/congenital-pseudoarthrosis-of-the-tibia">tibial pseudoarthrosis</a> or, less commonly, ulnar pseudoarthrosis</li>
  • -<li>bony dysplasias: especially affecting tibia</li>
  • -<li>severe bowing: both lateral and anterior</li>
  • -<li>multiple <a href="/articles/non-ossifying-fibroma-1">non-ossifying fibromas</a>: metaphysis of long bones well-defined, expansile lucent lesions with sclerotic margins</li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/hemihyperplasia">limb hemihypertrophy</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/atrophic-thinned-absent-fibulas">atrophic thinned / absent fibulas </a></li>
  • -<li>lambdoid suture defect: radiolucency present near the lambdoidal suture</li>
  • -<li>
  • -<a href="/articles/localised-gigantism">localised gigantism</a> </li>
  • +<p><strong>Musculoskeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), </strong>or <strong>von Recklinghausen disease,</strong> are relatively common among these patients, with skeletal abnormalities occurring in up to 50% <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>For a general discussion of the underlying condition, please refer to the article on <a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1">neurofibromatosis type 1</a>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Mass effect and pressure-induced changes caused by skin and soft tissue enlargement associated with <a href="/articles/plexiform-neurofibroma">plexiform neurofibromas</a> may cause deformities on the underlying bone.</p><p>Spinal deformities are common in patients with NF1, occurring in up to 50%. Scoliosis is most common and can occur in 21% of NF1 patients<sup> 1</sup>.</p><p>Bowing and pseudarthrosis are related to mesodermal dysplasia and can occur in a variety of bones, but commonly affects the tibia. </p><h5>Neoplasms</h5><p>In result of the inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene, NF1 is also associated with increased incidence of numerous tumours, such as <a href="/articles/rhabdomyosarcoma">rhabdomyosarcoma</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>The imaging spectrum includes</p><ul>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/kyphoscoliosis">kyphoscoliosis</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/vertebral-scalloping">vertebral scalloping</a>: can be associated with dural ectasia or neurofibromas</p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/lateral-thoracic-meningocele-1">intrathoracic meningocele</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/dural-ectasia">dural ectasia</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p>hypoplastic posterior elements: thinning of the pedicles, transverse processes, and lamina</p></li>
  • +<li><p>transverse process spindling</p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/enlarged-neural-foramina">enlarged neural foramina</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/ribbon-ribs-deformity">ribbon rib deformity</a>, <a href="/articles/rib-notching">rib notching</a>, and dysplasia</p></li>
  • +<li><p>extrinsic pressure may result in deficient bone formation that could be expressed as cortical thinning, erosive defects, sclerosis, and periosteal proliferation</p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/congenital-pseudoarthrosis-of-the-tibia">tibial pseudoarthrosis</a> or, less commonly, ulnar pseudoarthrosis</p></li>
  • +<li><p>bony dysplasias: especially affecting tibia</p></li>
  • +<li><p>severe bowing: both lateral and anterior</p></li>
  • +<li><p>multiple <a href="/articles/non-ossifying-fibroma-1">non-ossifying fibromas</a>: metaphysis of long bones well-defined, expansile lucent lesions with sclerotic margins</p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/hemihyperplasia">limb hemihypertrophy</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/atrophic-thinned-absent-fibulas">atrophic thinned / absent fibulas</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p>lambdoid suture defect: radiolucency present near the lambdoidal suture</p></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/localised-gigantism">localised gigantism</a> </p></li>

References changed:

  • 1. Patel N & Stacy G. Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Neurofibromatosis Type 1. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;199(1):W99-106. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.11.7811">doi:10.2214/AJR.11.7811</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22733937">Pubmed</a>
  • 2. Fortman B, Kuszyk B, Urban B, Fishman E. Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Diagnostic Mimicker at CT. Radiographics. 2001;21(3):601-12. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21.3.g01ma05601">doi:10.1148/radiographics.21.3.g01ma05601</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11353109">Pubmed</a>
  • 3. Wolfgang Dähnert. Radiology Review Manual. (2011) ISBN: 9781609139438 - <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9781609139438">Google Books</a>
  • 1. Patel NB, Stacy GS. Musculoskeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;199 (1): W99-106. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2214/AJR.11.7811">doi:10.2214/AJR.11.7811</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22733937">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
  • 2. Fortman BJ, Kuszyk BS, Urban BA et-al. Neurofibromatosis type 1: a diagnostic mimicker at CT. Radiographics. 21 (3): 601-12. <a href="http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/21/3/601.full">Radiographics (full text)</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11353109">Pubmed citation</a><div class="ref_v2"></div>
  • 3. Wolfgang Dähnert. Radiology Review Manual. (2011) <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9781609139438">ISBN: 9781609139438</a><span class="ref_v4"></span>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.