Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2011; 17(34): 3953-3956
Published online Sep 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i34.3953
Recurrent abdominal complaints caused by a cecal neurofibroma: A case report
Willem Donk, Paul Poyck, Pieter Westenend, Wilco Lesterhuis, Fried Hesp
Willem Donk, Paul Poyck, Fried Hesp, Department of Surgery, Albert Schweitzer hospital, PO Box 444, 3300AK, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Pieter Westenend, Laboratory for Pathology, Laan van Londen 1800, 3317 DA, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Wilco Lesterhuis, Department of Gastroenterology, Albert Schweitzer hospital, PO Box 444, 3300AK, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Donk W and Poyck P wrote the article, Westenend P revised the pathology section; Lesterhuis W did a thorough revision of the whole article; and Hesp F was the initiator of the publication and did a general revision of the article.
Correspondence to: Willem Donk, MD, Department of Surgery, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, P.O. Box 444, 3300 AK, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. w.donk@asz.nl
Telephone: +31-78-6541111 Fax: +31-78-6179811
Received: January 22, 2011
Revised: March 25, 2011
Accepted: April 1, 2011
Published online: September 14, 2011
Abstract

Gastrointestinal involvement of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1, Von Recklinghausen’s disease) is generally associated with the upper gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal manifestation of NF1 includes several tumors such as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and ampulla of vater tumors. However, colonic involvement in NF1 patients is rare. We report a case of a patient presenting with dysphagia, weight loss, intermittent abdominal pain and constipation caused by a single cecal neurofibroma obstructing the ileocecal valve. Also gastrointestinal involvement of the lower tract should be considered in patients with NF1 presenting with abdominal complaints.

Keywords: Neurofibromatosis type 1, Von Recklinghausen’s disease, Colon, Neurofibroma, Treatment