Neurofibromatosis type 1 involving the liver: ultrasound and CT manifestations

Nonoperative Management May Be a Viable Approach to Plexiform Neurofibroma of the Porta Hepatis in Patients with Neurofibromatosis-1

Background

Plexiform neurofibroma (PNF) in the porta hepatis (PH) is an unusual manifestation of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1). Resection is often recommended given the risk of malignant transformation. We encountered a challenging case in clinical practice which prompted us to report our findings and perform a systematic review on the management of these tumors.

Methods

We reported the case of a 31-year-old woman with NF-1 and PNF of the PH. PRISMA 2009 guidelines were followed for systematic review.

Results

Our patient was found to have unresectable disease at exploration. After >5 years of follow-up, she continued to have stable disease on imaging. We identified 12 studies/case reports including 10 adult and 6 pediatric patients with PNF of PH. None of the 7 adult patients with NF-1 and PNF of PH underwent a successful tumor resection. All pediatric patients were managed with surveillance alone. All but one pediatric patient had NF-1. None of the reported cases of PNF of PH had malignant transformation.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that PNFs of PH in the setting of NF-1 are often unresectable and may have an indolent course. Surveillance alone may be a reasonable option in some patients; however, further studies are needed.

"Periportal neoplasms"--a CT perspective: review article

The periportal space is a potential space surrounding the portal vein and its intrahepatic branches. A variety of neoplasms can involve the periportal region, whether primary or secondary, owing to contiguous spread from surrounding hepatic parenchyma or from adjacent organs. CT plays an important role in not only diagnosing these lesions but also determining the extent of the disease. Most of the malignancies leading to the periportal spread manifest as periportal hypodensity either distinctly or in contiguity with the primary tumour. Even in known malignancies, periportal hypodensity commonly results from non-neoplastic causes like periportal oedema; hence, a knowledge of the imaging findings to ascertain its presence as well as to conclude the definite neoplastic spread is prudent. Periportal spread of neoplasm may suggest locally aggressive or disseminated disease (in extrahepatic malignancies), which may change management accordingly.

Intra-abdominal plexiform neurofibromatosis including periportal, mesentery, and gastrointestinal tract involvement in neurofibromatosis type 1: case report and review of the literature

We report a case of intra-abdominal plexiform neurofibromatosis, including periportal, mesenteric, and gastrointestinal tract involvement, in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease/neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). A 26-year-old man with familial NF-1 was admitted to hospital for further examination of an abnormal hepatic mass along the portal vein. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed antral wall thickening and swelling of the papilla of Vater. Mucosal biopsies taken from the duodenum revealed possible ganglioneuromatosis. Abdominal ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an abnormal periportal mass with serpiginous extension into the liver along the portal vein and the mesentery, which is the typical spread pattern of plexiform neurofibromatosis. A laparotomy and cholecystectomy for gallstones were performed, and this patient was diagnosed as having intra-abdominal plexiform neurofibromatosis. This is the 15th case of intrahepatic periportal plexiform neurofibromatosis and the 16th case of diffuse ganglioneuromatosis associated with NF-1 in the English literature. The imaging findings of the lesion have been followed for 10 years; there has been slight growth of the mass, but no malignant transformation has been found. The previously reported cases are reviewed.

Plexiform neurofibroma in the hepatic hilum associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report

We present an extremely rare case of plexiform neurofibroma involving the hepatic hilum. A 24-year old woman who had been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 was referred to our hospital for evaluation of an abdominal mass found on computed tomography and progressive aggravation of intermittent abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a multilobulated non-enhancing mass involving the celiac trunk and hepatic artery, that extended to the hepatic hilum through the hepatoduodenal ligament. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the lesion extending along the intrahepatic Glisson's sheath. Based on the imaging findings, the patient was diagnosed to have a neu-rofibroma, although sarcomatous differentiation could not be excluded. The tumor was resected, leaving behind the intrahepatic extension, with the aim of alleviating the abdominal pain and preventing obstructive jaundice. Histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis of plexiform neurofibroma. At present, three years after the surgery, the patient remains symptom-free, without any evidence of recurrence.

From the archives of the AFIP: abdominal neoplasms in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetic disorders. NF1 is a complex disease resulting from a spectrum of mutations that may occur at many locations along the large, complex NF1 gene, which is located on chromosome 17. Mutations of the NF1 gene lead to abnormal tumor suppression. Consequently, patients with NF1 have an increased prevalence of benign and malignant neoplasms throughout the body. There are five categories of NF1 tumors that occur in the abdomen: neurogenic, neuroendocrine, nonneurogenic gastrointestinal mesenchymal, embryonal, and miscellaneous. Many of these tumors are age related, occur at specific anatomic locations, and have unique imaging features. Notably, many patients have a variety of organs affected because there is a high prevalence of multiple tumors occurring in the same patient. Neurofibromas are the most common benign neoplasms and may occur in the retroperitoneum or visceral organs. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is an aggressive malignancy that is the most common malignant tumor of the abdomen in patients with NF1. Interpreting abdominal imaging studies in patients with NF1 can be challenging because of the wide spectrum and diverse nature of tumors that occur in this disease.

Obstructive jaundice secondary to neuroendocrine tumour in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, with variable clinical manifestations and unpredictable course, associated with an increased incidence of various tumours. Plexiform neurofibromas are hallmark lesions of NF1; they are slow-growing tumours, which account for substantial morbidity, including disfigurement and functional impairment, and may even be life-threatening. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), a rare diverse group of neoplasms, are occasionally associated with neurofibromatosis. Pancreatic NETs are tumours with an incidence of less than 1/100 000 population/year and complex patterns of behaviour, which often need complicated strategies for optimal management. We present the case of a young adult with NF1, having a unique concurrence of plexiform neurofibroma involving the liver with an ampullary NET, and we discuss step by step the management in a specialist centre.