J Korean Soc Radiol.  2010 Oct;63(4):379-382.

Neurofibromatosis Type I presenting with Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, East-West Neo Medical Center, Kyung Hee University, Korea. ykradio@medimail.co.kr
  • 2Department of Pathology, East-West Neo Medical Center, Kyung Hee University, Korea.
  • 3Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Korea.

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type I is an autosomal dominant disease with variable clinical manifestations related to dermatologic, neurologic, skeletal, and endocrine system. Lung parenchymal involvement such as lung fibrosis and massive bullous emphysema is infrequent. Here, we report on a 36-year-old man with symptoms of dyspnea, and who has a spontaneous pneumothorax, multiple bullae, and pathologically confirmed neurofibromatosis type I.


MeSH Terms

Adult
Blister
Dyspnea
Emphysema
Endocrine System
Fibrosis
Humans
Lung
Neurofibromatoses
Neurofibromatosis 1
Pneumothorax

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A. Chest radiograph shows the large, well-demarcated lucent area devoid of lung markings in left hemithorax without tracheal deviation or mediastinal shifting and with the visceral pleural line (arrows). Note the large thin-walled cyst in right upper lung zone (asterisk). B-D. Axial chest CT scans show multiple thin-walled bullae with predominant distribution in the both upper lobes (B, C). Axial chest CT scan shows multiple thin-walled cysts in both lower lobes and atelectasis in left lower lobe. Small left pneumothorax (arrow) and left tube thoracostomy are noted (D). E. The microscopic examination shows tumor cells with a wavy, spindle appearance in a myxoid matrix (H & E stain, × 100).


Reference

1. Biondetti PR, Vigo M, Flore D, De Faveri D, Ravasini R, Benedetti L. CT appearance of generalized von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1983; 7:866–869.
2. Cantin L, Bankier AA, Eisenberg RL. Multiple cystlike lung lesions in the adult. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010; 194:W1–W11.
3. Zamora AC, Collard HR, Wolters PJ, Webb WR, King TE. Neurofibromatosis-associated lung disease: a case series and literature review. Eur Respir J. 2007; 29:210–214.
4. Riccardi VM. Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis. N Engl J Med. 1981; 305:1617–1627.
5. Davies PBD. Diffuse pulmonary involvement in von Recklinhausen's diasease: a new syndrome. Thorax. 1963; 18:198.
6. Yeh DW, Kim SJ, Kim CW, Kim S, Lee TH, Moon TY, et al. Endovascular Treatment of a Ruptured Internal Mammary Artery Pseudoaneurysm Presenting as Massive Hemothorax in a Patient with Type I Neurofibromatosis. J Korean Radiol Soc. 2005; 52:187–190.
7. Patchefsky AS, Atkinson WG, Hoch WS, Gordon G, Lipshitz HI. Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and von Recklinghausen's disease: an ultrastructural and immunofluorescent study. Chest. 1973; 64:459–464.
8. Rossi SE, Erasmus JJ, McAdams HP, Donnelly LE. Thoracic manifestations of neurofibromatosis-I. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999; 173:1631–1638.
9. Ryu JH, Parambil JG, McGrann PS, Aughenbaugh GL. Lack of evidence for an association between neurofibromatosis and pulmonary fibrosis. Chest. 2005; 128:2381–2386.
10. Amjadi K, Alvarez GG, Vanderhelst E, Velkeniers B, Lam M, Noppen M. The prevalence of blebs or bullae among young healthy adults. Chest. 2007; 132:1140–1145.
Full Text Links
  • JKSR
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr