title: Diagnosis and management of an isolated pediatric plexiform neurofibroma involving the hepatic and celiac plexus using multimodality approach: problem solving with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: Plexiform neurofibroma with involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is a very rare entity in children. Here, we present a rather unique case of a 9-year-old boy with no clinical signs or features of neurofibromatosis type 1. A periportal mass lesion was incidentally found after performing an ultrasound in this previously healthy child. Computed tomographic scan was subsequently performed which showed a low-density mass in a periportal distribution with extension along the celiac axis. Because the findings were nonspecific, a pre- and postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen was performed which included diffusion-weighted imaging. The lesion was then confirmed to be a plexiform neurofibroma with open biopsy. Management of plexiform neurofibromas varies widely. Given the extensive nature of the lesion, managing the patient with follow-up rather than surgical excision was favored.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: Merel M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Scheurkogel
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koshy
authors.affiliation: The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center and Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: Thierry A G M
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: Thangamadhan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bosemani
keywords: CT; DWI; MRI; liver; plexiform neurofibroma