Plexiform Neurofibroma of the Cauda Equina: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Plexiform neurofibroma of the cauda equina is extremely rare. Herein, a case is reported in a 56-year-old man who also had muscle atrophy, severe motor disturbance, and mild sensory disturbance of the left leg due to childhood poliomyelitis. The clinical symptoms manifested insidiously until the patient developed cauda equina syndrome. At operation, the tumor mass was observed to engulf the nerve roots of the cauda equina. After pathological examination, the diagnosis of plexiform neurofibroma was made. Neither the patient described herein nor any previously reported patients had neurofibromatosis.

Intradural extramedullary cavernoma of a lumbar nerve root mimicking neurofibroma. A report of a rare case and the differential diagnosis

“…It enlarges into a heterogeneous mass causing symptoms by compression or by engulfing other nerve elements [10]. The MRI reveals a lesion of mixed intensity on T1-and T2-weighted images, with diffuse heterogeneous enhancement on postcontrast images [10,26]. When the lesion is localized on a nerve, the intraoperative findings are usually of one or more thickened and elongated nerves, but not a mass distinct from the involved nerves [9].…”

“…It enlarges into a heterogeneous mass causing symptoms by compression or by engulfing other nerve elements [10]. The MRI reveals a lesion of mixed intensity on T1-and T2-weighted images, with diffuse heterogeneous enhancement on postcontrast images [10,26].…”

“…Clinically it presents with back and leg pain and weakness of muscle groups innervated by one or more nerve roots [9,10]. Subarachnoid hemorrhage may also be caused by neurofibromas of the cauda equina [11].…”

“…the most common IDEM tumors [9]. They most commonly involve the spinal nerve roots and the major nerve trunks [10], leading to enlargement of the affected nerve.…”