A rare case report of neurofibromatosis type 1 in a 12-year-old child: A 15-month follow-up

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) or von Recklinghausen's disease is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the development of multiple noncancerous (benign) tumors of nerves and skin (neurofibromas). Head-and-neck neurofibroma is generally located in the soft tissue. Here, we present a case of a 12-year-old girl with NF-1. The disease started in childhood with the appearance of multiple hyperpigmented skin macules. The girl presents generalized freckling and café au lait spots throughout the body and a diffused swelling measuring about 4 cm × 3 cm, extending from the right maxillary hard palate region to the midpalate. The diagnosis of NF-1 was made according to the presence of two or more diagnostic criteria of the National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference. No recurrence was observed in a 15-month follow-up after extensive surgical ablation.