Unusual cause of laryngeal dyspnea and swallowing troubles in a 2-year old child

Abstract

Plexiform neurofibromas are rare benign tumors developed from peripheral nervous system often associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. We report the case of multifocal plexiform neurofibromas in a 2-year-old child with cervical mass obstructing the trachea causing respiratory distress. A cervical ultrasound examination was performed followed by enhanced CT and MRI. Imaging revealed an expansive cervical mass extended from the base of the skull to the mediastinum associated with similar pelvic and sacral foraminal masses. The target like MRI aspect on T2-weighted images was suggestive of the neural origin. Biopsy under ultrasound control confirmed the diagnosis of plexiform neurofibroma.

Keywords

• Neurofibromatosis
• child
• dyspnoea