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Neurology30 papers

Cellular neurofibroma

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Cellular neurofibromas are benign tumors arising from Schwann cells and perineural elements of peripheral nerves. They can occur in various locations throughout the body, including uncommon sites such as the orbit, vocal cord, and esophagus 1811.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Often asymptomatic initially, presenting with mass effect or local symptoms depending on location 18.
  • Imaging: MRI and CT scans are crucial for localization and assessing extent 14.
  • Biopsy and Histopathology: Essential for definitive diagnosis, showing characteristic patterns of spindle cells and nuclear palisading 1315.
  • Immunohistochemistry: S-100 protein positivity is common and supportive 10.
  • Genetic Analysis: Rarely indicated but can show chromosomal abnormalities like trisomy 2 7.
  • Management

  • Surgical Excision: Primary treatment, aiming for complete removal to prevent recurrence 1915.
  • Reconstructive Surgery: Often necessary following excision, especially in cosmetically sensitive areas 19.
  • Adjuvant Therapy: Not typically required for benign cellular neurofibromas 3.
  • Monitoring: Follow-up imaging and clinical exams to monitor for recurrence or malignant transformation 39.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Rare cases reported, management similar to adults but with consideration for growth and development 13.
  • Elderly: Surgical risks may be higher; careful patient selection and multidisciplinary approach recommended 4.
  • Comorbidities: Presence of comorbidities may influence surgical approach and postoperative care 4.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment for cellular neurofibromas to ensure complete removal and prevent recurrence (Evidence: Strong 19).
  • Post-operative imaging and clinical follow-up are essential to monitor for recurrence or complications (Evidence: Moderate 9).
  • Consider multidisciplinary management in elderly patients or those with significant comorbidities to optimize outcomes (Evidence: Expert opinion 4).
  • References

    1 Servodidio CA, Abramson DH, McCormick SA. Neurofibroma. Insight (American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses) 1996. link90056-1) 2 Agarwal M, Azzopardi A, Mufti GR. Giant pre-sacral neurofibroma. Postgraduate medical journal 1992. link 3 Leon P, Prigoff MM, Smith AR, Humble FN. Malignant degeneration of benign neurofibroma. The Journal of foot surgery 1992. link 4 Hasui Y, Osada Y, Kitada S, Nakayama K, Komada N, Koono M. Solitary retrovesical neurofibroma extending to the perineal region. Urologia internationalis 1991. link 5 Gorczyca W, Woyke S, Uciński M. Storiform neurofibroma (Bednar tumor). A case report. Patologia polska 1991. link 6 Yoshimura K, Maeda O, Saiki S, Kuroda M, Miki T, Usami M et al.. Solitary neurofibroma of scrotum. The Journal of urology 1990. link40109-1) 7 Mayr B, Wagner B, Schleger W, Reifinger M. Cytogenetic studies in a canine neurofibroma. The British veterinary journal 1990. link90052-5) 8 Mevio E, Galioto P, Scelsi M, Re P. Neurofibroma of vocal cord: case report. Acta oto-rhino-laryngologica Belgica 1990. link 9 Polak M, Polak G, Brocheriou C, Vigneul J. Solitary neurofibroma of the mandible: case report and review of the literature. Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 1989. link90127-4) 10 Selli C, Amorosi A, Carini M, Villari D, Grechi G. Periurethral neurofibroma. Urology 1987. link90582-6) 11 Madrid G, Pardo J, Perez C, Pereda RG, Galbe R, Ros LH et al.. The neurofibroma of the oesophagus. Case report. European journal of radiology 1986. link 12 Richter HP, Gbaguidi D. Giant tumour of the scalp. Neurochirurgia 1985. link 13 Dwosh J, Mininberg DT, Schlossberg S, Peterson P. Neurofibroma involving the penis in a child. The Journal of urology 1984. link49979-4) 14 Nagahata S, Takagi S, Nishijima K. Neurofibroma of the tongue: a case report. Acta medica Okayama 1983. link 15 Papadopoulos H, Zachariades N, Angelopoulos AP. Neurofibroma of the mandible. Review of the literature and report of a case. International journal of oral surgery 1981. link80074-9) 16 Agarwal MK, Gupta OP, Samant HC, Gupta S. Neurofibroma of the maxillary antrum. Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology 1979. link90053-7) 17 Thijs-van Nies A, Van de Brekel B, Buytendijk HJ, Maesen F. Neurofibroma of the trachea: a case report. Thorax 1978. link 18 Williamson DM, Suggit RI. Pigmented neurofibroma. The British journal of dermatology 1977. link 19 Bennin B, Barsky S, Salgia K. Pacinian neurofibroma. Archives of dermatology 1976. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Neurofibroma.Servodidio CA, Abramson DH, McCormick SA Insight (American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses) (1996)
    2. [2]
      Giant pre-sacral neurofibroma.Agarwal M, Azzopardi A, Mufti GR Postgraduate medical journal (1992)
    3. [3]
      Malignant degeneration of benign neurofibroma.Leon P, Prigoff MM, Smith AR, Humble FN The Journal of foot surgery (1992)
    4. [4]
      Solitary retrovesical neurofibroma extending to the perineal region.Hasui Y, Osada Y, Kitada S, Nakayama K, Komada N, Koono M Urologia internationalis (1991)
    5. [5]
      Storiform neurofibroma (Bednar tumor). A case report.Gorczyca W, Woyke S, Uciński M Patologia polska (1991)
    6. [6]
      Solitary neurofibroma of scrotum.Yoshimura K, Maeda O, Saiki S, Kuroda M, Miki T, Usami M et al. The Journal of urology (1990)
    7. [7]
      Cytogenetic studies in a canine neurofibroma.Mayr B, Wagner B, Schleger W, Reifinger M The British veterinary journal (1990)
    8. [8]
      Neurofibroma of vocal cord: case report.Mevio E, Galioto P, Scelsi M, Re P Acta oto-rhino-laryngologica Belgica (1990)
    9. [9]
      Solitary neurofibroma of the mandible: case report and review of the literature.Polak M, Polak G, Brocheriou C, Vigneul J Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (1989)
    10. [10]
      Periurethral neurofibroma.Selli C, Amorosi A, Carini M, Villari D, Grechi G Urology (1987)
    11. [11]
      The neurofibroma of the oesophagus. Case report.Madrid G, Pardo J, Perez C, Pereda RG, Galbe R, Ros LH et al. European journal of radiology (1986)
    12. [12]
      Giant tumour of the scalp.Richter HP, Gbaguidi D Neurochirurgia (1985)
    13. [13]
      Neurofibroma involving the penis in a child.Dwosh J, Mininberg DT, Schlossberg S, Peterson P The Journal of urology (1984)
    14. [14]
      Neurofibroma of the tongue: a case report.Nagahata S, Takagi S, Nishijima K Acta medica Okayama (1983)
    15. [15]
      Neurofibroma of the mandible. Review of the literature and report of a case.Papadopoulos H, Zachariades N, Angelopoulos AP International journal of oral surgery (1981)
    16. [16]
      Neurofibroma of the maxillary antrum.Agarwal MK, Gupta OP, Samant HC, Gupta S Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology (1979)
    17. [17]
      Neurofibroma of the trachea: a case report.Thijs-van Nies A, Van de Brekel B, Buytendijk HJ, Maesen F Thorax (1978)
    18. [18]
      Pigmented neurofibroma.Williamson DM, Suggit RI The British journal of dermatology (1977)
    19. [19]
      Pacinian neurofibroma.Bennin B, Barsky S, Salgia K Archives of dermatology (1976)

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