Spinal Manifestations of Neurofibromatosis: an Update

Neurofibromatosis-1(NF-1) is a common genetic condition in children. It is becoming increasingly recognized that in neurofibromatosis, there might be anomalous development of bone with or without any local anomaly of neuro-ectodermal basis. This review was conducted to highlight the different features of spinal disorders in this congenital disease.

Methods and Materials: 

Different search engines were used in this research. After going through the results and discarding the repeated ones, 2 reviewers began to inspect the studies independent of one another. Should any disagreements take place over the inclusion of certain research material into the study, the final decision would belong to the senior writer. In the end, accepted research materials were used as needed in categorizing different types of spinal injuries.

Skeletal defects are among the most impactful complications on the quality of life of patients. Bone deformities, osteoporosis, osteopenia, a reduction of bone mass density, and spinal osteopathy such as scoliosis count among such defects. Although the relative prevalence of spinal defects in neurofibromatosis type 1 is not clear, scoliosis can be considered the most common type of spinal deformity in this illness to the point it is present in 10 to 71% of cases. So, spine surgeons may involve numerous public challenging conditions in NF-1 patients like scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and dural ectasia.

Thus, Because NF-1 distresses several organ systems, radiologic spine screening is important in patients with NF-1 and patients are likely to profit most from a multidisciplinary treatment policy.