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Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Associated with Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia and Pontine Ischemic Stroke
Author(s) -
Giannantoni Nadia Mariagrazia,
Broccolini Aldobrando,
Frisullo Giovanni,
Pilato Fabio,
Profice Paolo,
Morosetti Roberta,
Di Lella Giuseppe,
Zampino Giuseppe,
Marca Giacomo Della
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of neuroimaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1552-6569
pISSN - 1051-2284
DOI - 10.1111/jon.12160
Subject(s) - medicine , stroke (engine) , magnetic resonance imaging , neurofibromatosis , basilar artery , magnetic resonance angiography , palsy , dysarthria , radiology , pathology , mechanical engineering , alternative medicine , engineering
ABSTRACT Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a heterogeneous, common, neurocutaneous disorder presenting different complications during a life span, including cerebrovascular dysplasia. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of NF1 associated with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia and pontine ischemic stroke. We describe a 57‐year‐old man with NF1 who presented an acute onset right‐sided facial palsy and hemiplegia, dysarthria, and gait imbalance. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an acute left paramedian pontine infarct and a hypoplastic right vertebral artery. Brain Computed Tomography Angiography revealed the occurrence of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. Co‐occurrence of VBD and NF1 might not be merely casual and it may significantly heighten the mortality rate in this multisystem disorder. We suggest a possible role of VBD in the genesis of our patient's clinical‐radiological features and prompt the early detection of asymptomatic arteriopathy in individuals with NF1 in order to ameliorate patients’ quality of life and life expectancy.