Neurofibromatosis type 2 associated with cranial nerve schwannomas

[Imaging features of neurofibromatosis type 2]

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a separate entity from von Recklinghausen's disease (NF1) and is much less frequent than NF1. The major feature of NF2 is the presence in nearly all affected individuals of bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Imaging of the entire central nervous system is necessary, including evaluation of the cerebral parenchyma, the pontocerebellar angles, the spinal cord as well as the lumbar nerve roots, because the affected individuals can develop tumours from schwann cells, meningeal cells and from ependymocytes.