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Objective: To explore the clinical features, surgical treatment, and effectiveness of neurofibromas associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)., Methods: A clinical data of 41 patients with NF1 admitted between December 2018 and April 2024 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 26 females, with an average age of 27.5 years (range, 5-61 years). Only one type of neurofibroma existed in 3 patients and the rest of the patients had more than two types of neurofibromas. Fourteen patients had total resection of multiple cutaneous neurofibromas (CNF). Eighteen patients of diffuse neurofibromas underwent total, near-total, or subtotal resection. Among the 13 patients of localized nodular neurofibromas, 9 of benign tumors underwent total sub-capsular resection and 4 of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) underwent maginal resection, and only 1 underwent postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Among the 15 patients of plexiform neurofibromas (PNF), 5 patients underwent both superficial and deep PNF resection, 2 underwent the superficial PNF resection, and 8 underwent the large nodular lesions in the deep PNF resection. There were 8 MPNST, of which 7 cases underwent total sub-capsular resection and large tumor capsule resection under neurophysiological monitoring, and 1 case with the tumor located on the top of the head underwent wide resection and skin grafting. One patient underwent proton knife therapy after surgery, 2 patients did not receive radiotherapy, and the remaining patients received conventional radiotherapy., Results: All patients were followed up after surgery, and the follow-up time was 3-66 months, with an average of 25.0 months. Patients with CNF recovered satisfactorily after surgery, and there was no recurrence during follow-up. Patients with diffuse neurofibromas relieved preoperative symptoms after surgery. Three patients with diffuse neurofibromas located in the head and face recurred during follow-up. The patients with benign localized nodular neurofibromas recovered well after surgery, and only 1 patient had transient regional neuralgia after surgery. Among the patients with MPNST, 2 patients died of recurrence and lung metastasis, while the remaining 2 patients had no recurrence and metastasis during follow-up. All preoperative symptoms disappeared in patients with benign PNF, and no tumor recurrence was observed during follow-up. Two patients with PNF located in the brachial plexus had difficulty in shoulder abduction after surgery, 1 patient with PNF located in vagus developed hoarseness after surgery. Among the 8 patients with MPNST in PNF, 1 died of lung metastases and 1 died of systemic failure. The remaining 6 patients were in stable condition during follow-up, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed., Conclusion: According to the clinical features of neurofibromas in patients with NF1, choosing appropriate surgical approaches can obtain good effectiveness. Because of the difficulty of completely resection, diffuse neurofibromas, especially those located in the head and face, are prone to recurrence after surgery. MPNST has the worst prognosis, high incidence of recurrence/metastasis, and short survival period. Total resection combined with radiotherapy can decrease local recurrence.

Objective: To summarize the treatment strategies and clinical experiences of 5 cases of giant plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) involving the head, face, and neck., Methods: Between April 2021 and May 2023, 5 patients with giant PNFs involving the head, face, and neck were treated, including 1 male and 4 females, aged 6-54 years (mean, 22.4 years). All tumors showed progressive enlargement, involving multiple regions such as the maxillofacial area, ear, and neck, significantly impacting facial appearance. Among them, 3 cases involved tumor infiltration into deep tissues, affecting development, while 4 cases were accompanied by hearing loss. Imaging studies revealed that all 5 tumors predominantly exhibited an invasive growth pattern, in which 2 and 1 also presenting superficial and displacing pattern, respectively. The surgical procedure followed a step-by-step precision treatment strategy based on aesthetic units, rather than simply aiming for maximal tumor resection in a single operation. Routine preoperative embolization of the tumor-feeding vessels was performed to reduce bleeding risk, followed by tumor resection combined with reconstructive surgery., Results: All 5 patients underwent 1-3 preoperative embolization procedures, with no intraoperative hemorrhagic complications reported. Four patients required intraoperative blood transfusion. A total of 10 surgical procedures were performed across the 5 patients. One patient experienced early postoperative flap margin necrosis due to ligation for hemostasis; however, the incisions in the remaining patients healed without complications. All patients were followed up for a period ranging from 6 to 36 months, with a mean follow-up duration of 21.6 months. No significant tumor recurrence was observed during the follow-up period., Conclusion: For patients with giant PNF involving the head, face, and neck, precision treatment strategy can effectively control surgical risks and improve the standard of aesthetic reconstruction. This approach enhances overall treatment outcomes by minimizing complications and optimizing functional and cosmetic results.

Objective: To summarize the latest developments in neurosurgical treatments for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and explore therapeutic strategies to provide comprehensive treatment guidelines for clinicians., Methods: The recent domestic and international literature and clinical cases in the field of NF1 were reviewed. The main types of neurological complications associated with NF1 and their treatments were thorough summarized and the future research directions in neurosurgery was analyzed., Results: NF1 frequently results in complex and diverse lesions in the central and peripheral nervous systems, particularly low-grade gliomas in the brain and spinal canal and paraspinal neurofibromas. Treatment decisions should be made by a multidisciplinary team. Symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas and tumors with malignant imaging evidence require neurosurgical intervention. The goals of surgery include reducing tumor size, alleviating pain, and improving appearance. Postoperative functional rehabilitation exercises, long-term multidisciplinary follow-up, and psychosocial interventions are crucial for improving the quality of life for patients. Advanced imaging guidance systems and artificial intelligence technologies can help increase tumor resection rates and reduce recurrence., Conclusion: Neurosurgical intervention is the primary treatment for symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors when medical treatment is ineffective and the lesions progress rapidly. Preoperative multidisciplinary assessment, intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring, and advanced surgical assistance devices significantly enhance surgical efficacy and safety. Future research should continue to explore new surgical techniques and improve postoperative management strategies to achieve more precise and personalized treatment for NF1 patients.

Objective: To review the emergency management and perioperative strategies for ruptured neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-related giant plexiform neurofibroma (PNF), providing a systematic treatment protocol to improve the therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients with giant PNF., Methods: The literature on the management of giant PNF rupture and hemorrhage was reviewed, and the diagnosis, treatment, and perioperative management were summarized based on clinical experiences., Results: By implementing an integrated diagnostic and treatment strategy that includes early diagnosis, imaging evaluation, emergency ultra-selective arterial embolization combined with surgical excision, acute hemorrhage can be effectively controlled while also reducing the risk of major intraoperative bleeding and minimizing postoperative complications. As a result, this approach significantly improves treatment success rates and patient quality of life., Conclusion: For ruptured NF1-related giant PNF, employing emergency ultra-selective arterial embolization combined with surgical excision, under the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, can effectively improve treatment success rates, rapidly control bleeding, reduce tumor size, and lower mortality. Future research should focus on assessing the long-term quality of life of patients treated for ruptured and hemorrhaging giant PNF and on further optimizing treatment protocols.

Objective: To explore the plastic surgical treatment and the way to reduce hemorrhage for scalp and facial plexiform neurofibromas., Methods: Between July 2004 and July 2013, 20 patients with scalp and facial plexiform neurofibromas (17 cases of neurofibromatosis type I and 3 cases of plexiform neurofibroma) were treated, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 11 females with an average age of 37 years (range, 18-56 years). The disease duration ranged from 8 to 56 years (mean, 19 years). The scalp was involved in 6 cases, the face in 7 cases, and both the scalp and face in 7 cases. The extent of involvement ranged from 4 cm x 3 cm to 15 cm x 13 cm. Obvious pigmentation was seen in 2 cases. Endovascular embolization was performed before surgical intervention in 4 cases. Preliminary sutures around the lesion were carried out in 18 cases having an involved range over 5 cmx5 cm. One-stage excision was performed in 17 cases, and two-stage excision in 3 cases. Wound repair and facial orthopedic treatment were performed after tumor excision., Results: The intraoperative blood loss was 100-500 mL (mean, 300 mL) for patients undergoing single operation. For 3 patients undergoing two-stage excision, the blood loss of the first operation was 500, 600, and 800 mL respectively, and the blood loss of the second operation was all 50 mL. Autologous blood transfusion of 200, 400, and 400 mL was performed in 3 cases respectively. The preliminary sutures were removed at 3-7 days (mean, 5 days) after operation. All the incisions healed primarily without secondary hemorrhage and hematoma, and the flap and skin graft survived totally. Fifteen patients were followed up 1 year to 7 years (mean, 2.5 years). All patients showed significant improvement in appearance. No significant progression, expanding, and sagging were observed., Conclusion: Endovascular embolization and preliminary sutures around the lesion can be used to reduce hemorrhage in resection of plexiform neurofibroma in the scalp and face. Personalized surgical plan of benign neurofibromatosis should be made to reduce the tumor mass, to improve function and appearance.