A large intrathoracic meningocele in a patient with neurofibromatosis-1.
A large intrathoracic meningocele, a saccular protrusion of the meninges through a dilated intervertebral foramen or a bony defect of the vertebral column, was diagnosed in a 41-year-old female patient showing clinical features of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1), including café-au-lait spots, cutaneous neurofibromas, and axillary frecklings and Lisch nodules on the iris. Her daughter and son also had similar manifestations of NF-1. Regular follow-up with periodic imaging was recommended without surgical treatment because there were no signs or symptoms. Meningocele should be differentiated from posterior mediastinal tumors such as neurofibroma, neuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma because NF-1 has a high risk of tumor formation. We report on this case with a brief review of the literature.
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Wook
JW
Jeong
Kwang Young
KY
Park
Sang Min
SM
Yoon
Du Whan
du W
Choe
Cheol Hyeon
CH
Kim
Jae Cheol
JC
Lee
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008588:Meningocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D010375:Pedigree