Recurrent spontaneous hip dislocation in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Neurofibromatosis type-1 is a common genetic disorder which often affects the skeleton. Skeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type-1 include scoliosis, congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia and intraosseous cystic lesions. Dislocation of the hip associated with neurofibromatosis type-1 is a rare occurrence and is underreported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of hip dislocation resulting from an intra-articular neurofibroma in an 18-year-old Caucasian woman following minor trauma. This was originally suggested by the abnormalities on early radiographs of her pelvis and later confirmed with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment was successful with skeletal traction for six weeks with no further hip dislocations at a 12-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the radiological features of this rare complication of neurofibromatosis type-1 using the modalities of plain radiograph, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography reconstruction. The radiological images give a clear insight into the mechanism by which neurofibromatosis type-1 leads to hip dislocation. It also demonstrates one treatment option with excellent results on long-term follow-up.