Neurofibromatosis type 1

Changed by Henry Knipe, 1 Nov 2015

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also known asvon Recklinghausen disease, is a multisystem neurocutaneous disorder and the the most commonphakomatosis. Additionally, it is also one of the most common inherited inherited CNS disorders, autosomal dominant disorders and inherited inherited tumour syndromes. 

Individual systemic manifestations are discussed individually: 

The remainder of this article pertains to a general discussion of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). 

Epidemiology

Neurofibromatosis affects 1:2500-3000 individuals3. In half of cases, the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. In the other 50% of cases the disease is due to a new mutation 6. There is variable variable expression but 100% penetrance by 5 years of age 6.

Clinical presentation

As is the case with many phakomatoses, NF1 results in a variety of abnormalities of variable severity severity. To make the clinical diagnosis two or more of following are required2:

In addition ~45% (range 30 30-60%) of patients have learning disabilities.

It is important to consider that NF1 has a much earlier age of onset than schwannomatosis and NF2, with approximately approximately 50% of patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for NF1 by the age of 1 year and approximately 97% meeting the the criteria by the age of 8 years 10

Neoplasms

It should come as no surprise that a disease due to inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene (see below) is also associated with increased incidence of numerous tumours 1-6:

Pathology

The NF1 gene locus is on chromosome 17q11.2 and the gene gene product  is neurofibromin neurofibromin, acts as a tumour suppressor; inactivation of the gene thus predisposes to tumour development 6.

The disease primarily is a hamartomatous disorder that involves the ectoderm and mesoderm. Usually three types of neurofibromas occur in this disorder and are distinguished on the basis of their gross and microscopic appearances. 

  • localized neurofibroma (cutaneous neurofibroma): the most common type, is a focal lesion that typically is located in the dermis and subcutis
  • diffuse neurofibroma (sub cutaneous(subcutaneous neurofibroma): localised in the subcutis, usually in the head and neck region. 
  • plexiform neurofibroma: considered pathognomonic if present ; they may be seen in virtually any location but usually usually occur in the neck, pelvis, and extremities 

Radiographic features

Neurological (CNS)Breast
Central nervous system
  • FASI: focal (focal areas of signal intensity): occur in deep white matter and basal ganglia or corpus callosum5, areas of T2/FLAIR hyperintensity with no contrast enhancement
  • optic nerve glioma or optic optic pathway glioma (may manifest as enlarged optic foramen)
  • progressive sphenoid wing dysplasia
  • lambdoid suture defects
  • dural calcification at vertex
  • moya moya phenomenon (rare)
  • buphthalmos
Cutaneous
  • cutaneous and subcutaneous neurofibromas: benign peripheral peripheral nerve sheath tumours
Skeletal
ChestThoracic
Vascular
Breast

Treatment and prognosis

No single treatment exists, and a combination of supportive and surgical therapies are employed depending on the specific tumours and anomalies present. 

Although prognosis is very variable, overall patients with neurofibromatosis type I have a life expectancy approximately half that of non affected individuals, usually succumbing to tumours or cardiovascular complications 8.  

See also

  • -<p><strong>Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)</strong>, also known as <strong>von Recklinghausen disease</strong>, is a multisystem neurocutaneous disorder and the most common <a href="/articles/phakomatoses">phakomatosis</a>. Additionally, it is also one of the most common inherited CNS disorders, autosomal dominant disorders and inherited tumour syndromes. </p><p>Individual systemic manifestations are discussed individually: </p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)</strong>, also known as <strong>von Recklinghausen disease</strong>, is a multisystem neurocutaneous disorder and the most common <a href="/articles/phakomatoses">phakomatosis</a>. Additionally, it is also one of the most common inherited CNS disorders, autosomal dominant disorders and inherited tumour syndromes. </p><p>Individual systemic manifestations are discussed individually: </p><ul>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1-breast-manifestations">breast manifestations of NF1</a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1-cutaneous-manifestations">cutaneous manifestations of NF1</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1-cutaneous-manifestations">cutaneous manifestations of NF1</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1-breast-manifestations">breast manifestations of NF1</a></li>
  • -</ul><p>The remainder of this article pertains to a general discussion of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Neurofibromatosis affects 1:2500-3000 individuals <sup>3</sup>. In half of cases, the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. In the other 50% of cases the disease is due to a new mutation <sup>6</sup>. There is variable expression but 100% penetrance by 5 years of age <sup>6</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>As is the case with many phakomatoses, NF1 results in a variety of abnormalities of variable severity. To make the clinical diagnosis two or more of following are required <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>
  • -<li>&gt;6 <a href="/articles/cafe-au-lait-spots">cafe au lait spots</a> evident during one year</li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1-orbital-manifestations-1">orbital manifestations of NF1</a></li>
  • +</ul><p>The remainder of this article pertains to a general discussion of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Neurofibromatosis affects 1:2500-3000 individuals <sup>3</sup>. In half of cases, the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. In the other 50% of cases the disease is due to a new mutation <sup>6</sup>. There is variable expression but 100% penetrance by 5 years of age <sup>6</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>As is the case with many phakomatoses, NF1 results in a variety of abnormalities of variable severity. To make the clinical diagnosis two or more of following are required <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>
  • +<li>&gt;6 <a href="/articles/cafe-au-lait-spots">cafe au lait spots</a> evident during one year</li>
  • -<li>two or more iris hamartomas (Lisch nodules)   </li>
  • +<li>two or more iris hamartomas (Lisch nodules)   </li>
  • -</ul><p>In addition ~45% (range 30-60%) of patients have learning disabilities.</p><p>It is important to consider that NF1 has a much earlier age of onset than schwannomatosis and NF2, with approximately 50% of patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for NF1 by the age of 1 year and approximately 97% meeting the criteria by the age of 8 years <sup>10</sup>. </p><h6>Neoplasms</h6><p>It should come as no surprise that a disease due to inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene (see below) is also associated with increased incidence of numerous tumours <sup>1-6</sup>:</p><ul>
  • +</ul><p>In addition ~45% (range 30-60%) of patients have learning disabilities.</p><p>It is important to consider that NF1 has a much earlier age of onset than schwannomatosis and NF2, with approximately 50% of patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for NF1 by the age of 1 year and approximately 97% meeting the criteria by the age of 8 years <sup>10</sup>. </p><h6>Neoplasms</h6><p>It should come as no surprise that a disease due to inactivation of a tumour suppressor gene (see below) is also associated with increased incidence of numerous tumours <sup>1-6</sup>:</p><ul>
  • -<li>previously known as <a href="/articles/neurofibrosarcoma">neurofibrosarcoma</a>
  • +<li>previously known as <a href="/articles/neurofibrosarcoma">neurofibrosarcoma</a>
  • -</ul><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The NF1 gene locus is on chromosome 17q11.2 and the gene product  is neurofibromin, acts as a tumour suppressor; inactivation of the gene thus predisposes to tumour development <sup>6</sup>.</p><p>The disease primarily is a <a href="/articles/hamartoma">hamartomatous</a> disorder that involves the ectoderm and mesoderm. Usually three types of neurofibromas occur in this disorder and are distinguished on the basis of their gross and microscopic appearances. </p><ul>
  • +</ul><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The NF1 gene locus is on chromosome 17q11.2 and the gene product  is neurofibromin, acts as a tumour suppressor; inactivation of the gene thus predisposes to tumour development <sup>6</sup>.</p><p>The disease primarily is a <a href="/articles/hamartoma">hamartomatous</a> disorder that involves the ectoderm and mesoderm. Usually three types of neurofibromas occur in this disorder and are distinguished on the basis of their gross and microscopic appearances. </p><ul>
  • -<a href="/articles/diffuse-neurofibroma">diffuse neurofibroma</a> (sub cutaneous neurofibroma): localised in the subcutis, usually in the head and neck region. </li>
  • +<a href="/articles/diffuse-neurofibroma">diffuse neurofibroma</a> (subcutaneous neurofibroma): localised in the subcutis, usually in the head and neck region. </li>
  • -<a href="/articles/plexiform-neurofibroma">plexiform neurofibroma</a>: considered pathognomonic if present ; they may be seen in virtually any location but usually occur in the neck, pelvis, and extremities </li>
  • -</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Neurological (CNS)</h5><ul>
  • +<a href="/articles/plexiform-neurofibroma">plexiform neurofibroma</a>: considered pathognomonic if present ; they may be seen in virtually any location but usually occur in the neck, pelvis, and extremities </li>
  • +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Breast</h5><ul><li><a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1-breast-manifestations">neurofibromatosis of the breast</a></li></ul><h5>Central nervous system</h5><ul>
  • -<a href="/articles/fasi">FASI</a>: focal areas of signal intensity in deep white matter and basal ganglia or corpus callosum <sup>5</sup>, areas of T2/FLAIR hyperintensity with no contrast enhancement</li>
  • +<a href="/articles/fasi">FASI</a> (focal areas of signal intensity): occur in deep white matter and basal ganglia or corpus callosum <sup>5</sup>, areas of T2/FLAIR hyperintensity with no contrast enhancement</li>
  • -<a href="/articles/optic-nerve-glioma">optic nerve glioma</a> or optic pathway  glioma (may manifest as enlarged optic foramen)</li>
  • +<a href="/articles/optic-nerve-glioma">optic nerve glioma</a> or optic pathway glioma (may manifest as enlarged optic foramen)</li>
  • -</ul><h5>Cutaneous</h5><ul><li>cutaneous and subcutaneous <a href="/articles/localised-neurofibroma">neurofibromas</a>: benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours</li></ul><h5>Skeletal</h5><ul>
  • +</ul><h5>Cutaneous</h5><ul><li>cutaneous and subcutaneous <a href="/articles/localised-neurofibroma">neurofibromas</a>: benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours</li></ul><h5>Skeletal</h5><ul>
  • -<a href="/articles/ribbon-rib-deformity">ribbon rib deformity</a>, <a href="/articles/rib-notching">rib notching</a> and dysplasia </li>
  • +<a href="/articles/ribbon-rib-deformity">ribbon rib deformity</a>, <a href="/articles/rib-notching">rib notching</a> and dysplasia </li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/limb-hemi-hypertrophy">limb hemi hypertrophy</a></li>
  • -</ul><h5>Chest</h5><ul>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/limb-hemi-hypertrophy">limb hemihypertrophy</a></li>
  • +</ul><h5>Thoracic</h5><ul>
  • -<a href="/articles/aneurysm">aneurysms</a>/<a href="/cases/cerebral-arteriovenous-malformation-13">arteriovenous malformations (AVM)</a>
  • +<a href="/articles/aneurysm">aneurysms</a> / <a href="/cases/cerebral-arteriovenous-malformation-13">arteriovenous malformations</a>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/renal-artery-stenosis">renal artery stenosis (RAS)</a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/renal-artery-stenosis">renal artery stenosis</a></li>
  • -</ul><h5>Breast</h5><ul><li><a href="/articles/neurofibromatosis-type-1-breast-manifestations">neurofibromatosis of the breast</a></li></ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>No single treatment exists, and a combination of supportive and surgical therapies are employed depending on the specific tumours and anomalies present. </p><p>Although prognosis is very variable, overall patients with neurofibromatosis type I have a life expectancy approximately half that of non affected individuals, usually succumbing to tumours or cardiovascular complications <sup>8</sup>.  </p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/paediatric-mediastinal-masses">paediatric mediastinal masses</a></li></ul>
  • +</ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>No single treatment exists, and a combination of supportive and surgical therapies are employed depending on the specific tumours and anomalies present. </p><p>Although prognosis is very variable, overall patients with neurofibromatosis type I have a life expectancy approximately half that of non affected individuals, usually succumbing to tumours or cardiovascular complications <sup>8</sup>.  </p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/paediatric-mediastinal-masses">paediatric mediastinal masses</a></li></ul>

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.