Intracranial Tumors in Neurofibromatosis Type 2: A Review of Magnetic Resonance Findings - Abstract
Objective: Our main aim is to present an index case of an 11-year-old female with NF 2 who has intra cranial bilateral vestibular schwannomas, bilateral trigeminal schwannomas, bilateral facial schwannoma, and intra ventricular meningioma and to demonstrate the longitudinal growth of the tumors over time. We also review the literature regarding intracranial masses and their pattern in NF2.
Background: Defining intracranial features of NF 2 is bilateral vestibular schwannomas which are present in 90 to 95% of NF 2. Schwannomas involving other cranial nerves are seen only in 24 to 51% of NF 2. Our literature search did not yield any cases of both bilateral vestibular schwannomas and bilateral trigeminal
schwannomas together in the same patient.
Design: This is a thorough review of a case of NF 2 presenting the history, physical examination and intra cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings with particular attention to longitudinal growth of the tumors.
Results: Bilateral vestibular schwannomas, bilateral trigeminal schwannomas and intra ventricular meningioma were noted to grow exponentially over a period of 7 years from tiny lesions to large lobulated masses in the IAC and CP angles, Meckel caves and within the right lateral ventricle respectively with surrounding brain parenchymal mass effect. We review other intracranial masses in NF 2 though not
present in our patient.
Conclusions: Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are the hallmark of NF 2. Bilateral trigeminal schwannomas can also be seen in a few patients along with other intracranial tumors. However presence of bilateral vestibular and trigeminal schwannomas in the same patient has not been previously described.