ISSN Online: 2177-1235 | ISSN Print: 1983-5175
Plexiform neurofibroma of the upper limb
Neurofibroma plexiforme de membro superior
Case Reports -
Year2011 -
Volume26 -
Issue
3
Kátia Torres Batista1; Hugo José de Araújo1; Aloysio Campos da Paz Júnior2
ABSTRACT
The authors present an unusual case of plexiform neurofibroma affecting the upper limb in a patient diagnosed with type 1 neurofibromatosis. Tumor resection was performed on the median nerve. The patient showed maintenance of limb function and remission of symptoms of pain after four years of follow-up.
Keywords:
Neurofibromatosis 1. Neurofibroma. Neurofibroma, plexiform. Upper extremity.
RESUMO
Os autores apresentam um caso incomum de neurofibroma plexiforme acometendo o membro superior, com diagnóstico de neurofibromatose do tipo 1. Realizou-se a ressecção do tumor no nervo mediano. A paciente evoluiu com manutenção da função do membro e remissão dos sintomas de dor após seguimento de quatro anos.
Palavras-chave:
Neurofibromatose 1. Neurofibroma. Neurofibroma plexiforme. Extremidade superior.
INTRODUCTION
Neurofibromas, tumors that originate in Schwann cells and normally show the clinical symptoms of type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1), are rarely found in the hands.
A diagnosis of NF1 is considered if two of the following characteristics are present:
six or more light brown stains with a diameter of >0.5 cm in prepubertal and >1.5 cm in postpubertal individuals; two or more neurofibromas of any type or one plexiform neurofibroma (net shaped); ephelides in the axillary or groin area; optic glioma (tumor in the optic nerve); two or more Lisch nodules in the iris; sphenoid dysplasia or thinning of the cortex of long bones, with or without pseudoarthrosis; first-degree relative with NF1; biopsy findings1-3.
Neurofibromas are benign tumors, usually single and originating within the nerve fascicles. Enucleation is not possible, so total tumor excision is required, leaving some damage to hand function. Surgery is indicated in cases of excessive tumor growth, pain, and when there is suspicion of malignancy4.
This paper aims to describe the evolution of a case of upper limb plexiform neurofibroma in a patient with NF1.
CASE REPORT
A 3-year-old female child was admitted to the unit of SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals in Brasília (SARAH-Brasília, Brazil) in 1996 with a history of left wrist tumor measuring 2 cm x 3 cm, diagnosed as neurofibroma. NF1 was diagnosed on the basis of the following criteria: family history and presence of light brown stains, neurofibromas, and plexiform neurofibroma.
In 2004, the patient developed a tumor and dysfunction due to pain in the upper limb, sensory changes, and an inability to clamp the thumb with the fifth finger. Physical-functional assessment of the left arm showed the following characteristics: swelling in the forearm and palmar region; loss of protective sensitivity in the second and third fingers and in part of the palmar and dorsal regions of the hand; loss of protective sensitivity of the distal phalanges of the second and third fingers and middle phalanx of third finger; difficulty in performing spherical grip, cylindrical grip, and clamping functions of the thumb with the second and fifth fingers; preserved hook grip; preserved joint mobility and strength; and neurofibromas distributed bilaterally in the brachial plexus and in other peripheral nerves of the upper limbs. Moreover, there was evidence of a bulky mass in the pelvic region; this mass was pushing against the structures of the bladder and rectosigmoid region and extending along the lower limb and gluteal region, corresponding to the lumbosacral plexus. The patient did not have functional complaints related to these tumors.
The patient underwent electromyography tests (Figure 1) and MRI in sagittal, coronal, and axial sections. These tests revealed elongated cylindrical structures, grouped into a bulky expansive injury, from the anteromedial face of the arm and forearm to the palmar face of the hand and passing through the carpal tunnel.
Figure 1 - Results of the electromyographic test, showing marked reduction in the extent and speed in the motor conduction study.
A tumor (size, 23 cm x 4 cm; weight, 172 g) located in the left upper limb was resected (Figures 2 to 5). Histopathological evaluation of frozen tissue sections led to a diagnosis of neurofibroma of the median nerve.
Figure 2 - Marking held at the immediate preoperative period of patient with plexiform neurofibroma of the left upper limb.
Figure 3 - Dissection of the tumor on the left median nerve.
Figure 4 - Resection of the tumor on the left median nerve.
Figure 5 - After resection of tumor on the median nerve.
The patient recovered with improvement in hand function and relief from pain symptoms. The patient retained clamping movements of the thumb with the other digits (Figures 6 to 10) and object gripping, and the sensitivity map, measured using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, remained unchanged. Finally, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence in the operated area for four years.
Figure 6 - Closing of the surgical wound.
Figure 7 - Thumb clamping movement with the second finger, observed during the preoperative period.
Figure 8 - Maintenance of clamping movement after the sixth month of tumor resection.
Figure 9 - Failure to perform a clamping movement of the thumb with the fifth left finger, observed in the preoperative period.
Figure 10 - Recovery of the clamping movement of the thumb with the fifth finger, observed in the postoperative period.
DISCUSSION
Neurofibromas may occur anywhere in the body and viscera, and rarely occur in the hands. Some authors1,2 have reported an incidence of 0.8% for neurofibromas in the hands and from 10% to 15% for NF1.
Plexiform neurofibromas show diffuse growth of the endoneurium, affecting all branches of the nerve, as demonstrated in this case of tumor of the median nerve and its branches, with severe constriction of the carpal tunnel3-5. Plexiform neurofibromas are considered difficult to diagnose because their incidence is very low6, but when the criteria of neurofibromatosis7 are fulfilled, the suspicion of plexiform neurofibroma increases. However, clinicians should carry out differential diagnoses for other neural tumors, such as schwannoma8 and sarcomatous degeneration2.
The surgical treatment of neurofibromas is controversial, since it is necessary to excise the entire nerve for tumor removal.
According to Seddon4, tumor resection is not necessary, unless the tumor causes pain, shows exuberant growth, or impairs function, as in this case. The evolution of neurofibromatosis with neurofibroma as a slow, asymptomatic growth over eight years has been reported. Surgery was indicated because of hand dysfunction and pain due to tumor growth. It was possible to remove the plexiform neurofibroma of the median nerve; the symptoms of pain reduced and hand function improved over a follow-up period of four years, with no signs of recurrence of this tumor.
REFERENCES
1. Basheer H, Rabia F, Basheer H, el-Helw K. Neurofibromas of digital nerves. J Hand Surg Br. 1997;22(1):61-3.
2. Birch R. Peripheral nerve tumors. In: Dyck PJ, Thomas PK, eds. Peripheral neuropathy. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1993. p. 1623-39.
3. Nambi GI, Gupta AK, Kumaran S. Plexiform neurofibroma of the finger. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2008;61(11):1402-3.
4. Seddon HJ. Surgical disorders of peripheral nerves. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins; 1972.
5. Punia RS, Dhingra N, Mohan H. Cutaneous plexiform schwannoma of the finger not associated with neurofibromatosis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2008;9(2):129-31.
6. Ilyas AM, Nourissat G, Jupiter JB. Segmental neurofibromatosis of the hand and upper extremity: a case report. J Hand Surg Am. 2007;32(10):1538-42.
7. Gajeski BL, Kettner NW, Awwad EE, Boesch RJ. Neurofibromatosis type I: clinical and imaging features of Von Recklinghausen's disease. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003;26(2):116-27.
8. Westhout FD, Mathews M, Pare LS, Armstrong WB, Tully P, Linskey ME. Recognizing schwannomatosis and distinguishing it from neurofibromatosis type 1 or 2. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2007;20(4):329-32.
1. Member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery; Physician; Plastic Surgeon of SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
2. Doctor of Orthopedics; Surgeon-in-Chief of SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Correspondence to:
Kátia Torres Batista
SMHS - Quadra 501 - cj. A
Brasília, DF, Brazil - CEP 70335-901
E-mail: katiatb@terra.com.br
Submitted to SGP (Sistema de Gestão de Publicações/Manager Publications System) of RBCP (Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica/Brazilian Journal of Plastic Surgery).
Received: October 16, 2009
Accepted: April 6, 2010
Study conducted at SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
All scientific articles published at www.rbcp.org.br are licensed under a Creative Commons license
