• 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Ji’nan Shandong, 250021, P. R. China;
  • 2. Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Ji’nan Shandong, 250021, P. R. China;
ZHENG Zhiming, Email: zhiming0119@126.com; WANG Guodong, Email: wgd0121@sina.com
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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.

Citation: LI Ce, LIU Binghan, WANG Yanjun, YU Taifei, ZHENG Zhiming, WANG Guodong. Progress in neurosurgical treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2024, 38(10): 1171-1179. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202407058 Copy

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