BONE SCANS IN NEUROFIBROMATOSIS - NEUROFIBROMA, PLEXIFORM NEUROMA ANDNEUROFIBROSARCOMA

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 an d, thus, patients with neurofibromatosis frequently undergo skeletal s cintigraphy, at which lime the common peripheral nerve soft-tissue tum ors that occur in this syndrome (neurofibromas, plexiform neuromas and neurofibrosarcomas) may be demonstrated. Methods: Single or multiphas e Tc-99m methylenediphosphonate (MDP) bone scans were performed in fiv e patients with neurofibromatosis as part of their clinical evaluation . Results: We imaged neurofibrosarcomas in three patients, cutaneous n eurofibromas in one patient and a plexiform neuroma in one patient. Co nclusion: Single- or multiphasic bone scans may localize common soft-t issue tumors in neurofibromatosis.