Solitary plexiform neurofibroma of the tongue: report of a case with no evidence of neurofibromatosis type 1

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2023 Dec;52(12):1246-1249. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2023.03.014. Epub 2023 Apr 18.

Abstract

Neurofibromas are frequently present in the skin, but are uncommon in the oral and maxillofacial region. There are three histological variants of neurofibroma: localized, diffuse, and plexiform. The plexiform histological variant of neurofibroma is the least common and is a rare occurrence in the oral cavity. Furthermore, plexiform neurofibroma is usually pathognomonic of neurofibromatosis type 1. A case of solitary plexiform neurofibroma of the tongue with no evidence of neurofibromatosis in a 50-year-old female Chinese patient is reported here. The lesion presented as a single, large, well-circumscribed rounded mass in the left hemi-tongue. The tumour was completely excised. No recurrence was observed at the 6-month follow-up.

Keywords: Mouth neoplasms; Neurofibroma; Neurofibromatosis 1; Soft tissue neoplasms; Tongue neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Head
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurofibroma*
  • Neurofibroma, Plexiform* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurofibroma, Plexiform* / pathology
  • Neurofibroma, Plexiform* / surgery
  • Neurofibromatosis 1* / pathology
  • Tongue / pathology