Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-cnmwb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-18T10:38:12.622Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Otorhinolaryngological manifestations of von Recklinghausen's disease in Nigerians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

T. G. A. Ijaduola*
Affiliation:
Lagos, Nigeria
S. A. Ademiluyi
Affiliation:
Lagos, Nigeria
*
T. G. A. Ijaduola. F.R.C.S.. F.W.A.C.S.. D.L.O., Consultant ENT Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.

Summary

Otorhinolaryngological manifestations of 13 patients with von Recklinghausen's disease appearing at Lagos University Teaching Hospital over a five-year period have been studied. Among patients with ENT manifestations of the disease, the most common general features exhibited were cutaneous neurofibromas (100 per cent), headache (69.23 per cent) and pruritus (46.15 per cent). But the head and neck findings included external meatal canal stenosis (30.77 per cent), conductive deafness (30.77 per cent), nasal discharge (30.77 per cent), cranial nerve involvement (30.77 per cent) and disfigurement of the soft tissues of the face (30.77 per cent). Involvement of pinna (23.31 per cent), rhinolalia aperta (15.38 per cent), mental retardation (15.38 per cent) and pharyngeal swelling (7.69 per cent) also featured. Clinically detectable bilateral acoustic neurofibromas in adults or astrocytomas in children were not found in this series. Involvement of the frontoparietal bone (7.65 per cent) presented with skull bossing which had to be differentiated from that due to sickle cell disease in the African. There was also a singular case of phrenic nerve involvement. However, malignancy occurred in one (7.69 per cent) of these patients. Thus, it is important always to follow-up these patients closely so as to detect malignant transformation in time.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Apter, N., Chemke, J. and Hurwitz, N. (1975) Neonatal neurofibromatosis. Unusual manifestation with malignant clinical course. Clinical Genetics, 7: 338393.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bader, J. L. and Miller, R. W. (1978) Neurofibromatosis and childhood leukemia. Journal of Paediatrics. 92: 925.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brasfieid, R. D. and Das Gupta, T. K. (1972) Von Recklinghausen's disease: a clinicopathological study. Annals of Surgery, 175: 36104.Google Scholar
Chang-Lo, M. (1977) Laryngeal involvement in von Recklinghausen's disease. A case report and review of the literature. The Laryngoscope, 87: 435442.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crowe, F. W., Schull, W. J. and Neel, J. V. (1956) Multiple neurofibromatosis. A clinical, pathological, and genetic study. Charles C. Thomas. Springfield. Illinois.Google Scholar
Davidson, K. C. (1966) Cranial and intracranial lesions in neurofibromatosis. American Journal of Roentgenology, 98: 550556.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Holinger, P. H. and Cohen, L. L. (1950) Neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) with involvement of the larynx. Report of a case. The Laryngoscope, 60: 193196.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holt, J. F. (1978) Neurofibromatosis in children. American Journal of Roentogenology, 130: 615639.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hope, D. G. and Mulvihill, J. J. (1981) Malignancy in neurofibromatosis. Advances in Neurology, 29: 3356.Google ScholarPubMed
Jafek, B. W. and Stern, F. A. (1973) Neurofibroma of the larynx occurring with von Recklinghausen's disease. Report of a case. Archives of Otolaryngology, 98: 7779.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Krueger, W., Weisberger, E., Ballantyne, A. J. and Goepfert, H. (1979) Plexiform neurofibroma of the head and neck. American Journal of Surgery, 138: 517520.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martin, H. and Benitz, N. (1967) Multiple neurofibromatosis involving the eighth nerve. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 81: 353357.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McKeen, E. A., Bodurtha, J., Meadows, A. T., Douglass, E. C. and Mulvihill, J. J. (1978) Rhabdomyosarcoma complicating multiple neurofibromatosis. Journal of Pediatrics, 93: 992993.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Per-Lee, J. H. and Clairmont, A. A. (1976) Acoustic neuroma in von Recklinghausen's disease. South Medical Journal 69: 844847.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riccardi, V. M. (1980) Pathophysiology of neurofibromatosis. IV. Dermatologic insights into heterogeneity and pathogenesis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 3: 157166.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robitaille, Y., Seemayer, T. A. and E. L. Deiry, A. (1975) Periheral nerve tumours involving paranasal sinuses: A case report and review of the literature. Cancer, 35: 12541258.3.0.CO;2-3>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rodrigues, H. A. and Berthrong, M. (1966) Multiple primary intracranial tumours in von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. Archives of Neurology, 14: 467475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosedate, R. S. (1945) Massive fibroma of the maxillary antrum as part of multiple neurofibromatosis in siblings. Archives of Otolaryngology, 42: 208211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosman, N. P. and Pearce, J. (1967) The brain in multiple neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease); A suggested neuropathological basis for the associated mental defects. Brain, 90: 829838.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saxena, K. M. (1970) Endocrine manifestations of neurofibromatosis in children. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 120: 265271.Google ScholarPubMed
Smith, R. W. (1849) A Treatise on the pathology, diagnosis and treatment of neuroma. Dublin.Google Scholar
Stay, E. J. and Vawter, G. (1977) The relationship between nephroblastoma and neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease). Cancer, 39: 25502555.3.0.CO;2-Y>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
von Recklinghausen, F. (1882) Uber die multiplen fibrome der haut und ihre beziehung zu dem multiplen neuromen. Berlin. August Hirschwald.Google Scholar
Walden, P. A., Johnson, A. G. and Bagshawe, K. D. (1977) Wilm's tumour and neurofibromatosis. British Medical Journal, 1: 813.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whitehouse, D. (1966) Diagnostic value of the cafe-au-lait spot in children. Archives of Disease in Childhood 41: 316319.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed