title: A rare case study of a retropharyngeal neurofibroma and a brief literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Space occupying lesions in the retropharyngeal space are rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we present a rare case of a retropharyngeal neurofibroma treated surgically through an open cervical approach without any complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurofibromas are benign, slowly growing neoplasms that could be associated or not with neurofibromatosis. They are derived from peripheral nerves. Diagnostic work-up should include CT-scan and MRI as well as a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of localized and diffuse neurofibromas is often surgical resection, which may require sacrifice of the nerve. Malignant transformation of these lesions, without association to NF-1, is rare and exceptionally documented in the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We presented a rare case of solitary neurofibroma of the retropharyngeal space. Complete resection of the lesion was performed without any complication. We also presented a brief review of the literature about neurofibromas.
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire d'ORL, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France; Université Joseph-Fourier, 621, avenue centrale, 38041 Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France; Inserm U823, BP 170, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France. Electronic address: IAtallah@chu-grenoble.fr.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Atallah
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire d'ORL, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France; Département d'anatomie et cytologie pathologique, BP 217, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gervasoni
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire d'ORL, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France; Département de neurochirurgie, BP 217, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France; Université Joseph-Fourier, 621, avenue centrale, 38041 Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gay
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire d'ORL, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France; Université Joseph-Fourier, 621, avenue centrale, 38041 Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France; Inserm U823, BP 170, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Righini
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: CT-scan; MRI; Malignant transformation; Neurofibromas; Neurofibromatosis; Surgical resection