Bone scans in neurofibromatosis: neurofibroma, plexiform neuroma and neurofibrosarcoma.

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type 1 or von Recklinghausen's disease is one of the most common autosomal dominant genetic disorders. Between 29% and 77% of patients may suffer from a wide range of skeletal abnormalities and, thus, patients with neurofibromatosis frequently undergo skeletal scintigraphy, at which time the common peripheral nerve soft-tissue tumors that occur in this syndrome (neurofibromas, plexiform neuromas and neurofibrosarcomas) may be demonstrated. Single or multiphase 99mTc methylenediphosphonate (MDP) bone scans were performed in five patients with neurofibromatosis as part of their clinical evaluation. We imaged neurofibrosarcomas in three patients, cutaneous neurofibromas in one patient and a plexiform neuroma in one patient. Single- or multiphasic bone scans may localize common soft-tissue tumors in neurofibromatosis.