title: Floret-like multinucleated giant cells in a neurofibromatosis type 1-associated neurofibroma.
abstract: I report herein a case of floret-like multinucleated giant cells (FMGCs) in a neurofibroma (NF) from a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). CD34-positive FMGCs have been described in 2 prior cases of cutaneous NF and in gynecomastia from patients with NF1. In the case of NFs with FMGCs, these CD34-positive cells may represent endoneurial dendritic cells distinct from both fibroblasts and Schwann cells and do not represent degenerative or malignant change. However, the exact origin of these cells is debatable. I encourage others to observe for the presence of CD34-positive FMGCs in NFs to determine whether they are an incidental finding or are specific to NFs in patients with NF1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1090, USA. swickbrian@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Swick
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34