Tumors of peripheral nerves, both sensory and motor, constitute one of the most frequent types of generalized palpable subcutaneous neoplasms. Neurofibromatosis of the cutaneous and terminal nerve filaments is eponymically known as Recklinghausen's disease. Neurofibromas of similar histologic structure are frequently found involving the subcutaneous or deeper nerve trunks. They differ from the former group chiefly in their variability in size, deep location and infrequency of pedunculation. The case reported here is unusual because of the peculiar distribution of these benign tumors and because of the significant stigmas or sequels of their occurrence.
REPORT OF A CASE
History.
—D. E., a white boy, aged 11, entered the clinic complaining of an overgrowth of the left side of the face, pain and partial blindness in the left eye and daily vertigo. His parents and grandparents were living and healthy. He was next to the oldest of five children, the youngest of