Correction of Progressive Severe Cervical Kyphosis in a 21-Month-Old Patient With NF1: Surgical Technique and Review of Literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND 

Severe cervical kyphosis in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare manifestation of the disease in the pediatric population. Dystrophic and immature bone complicate the placement of hardware necessary for surgical correction of alignment and a review of the literature yields 4 cases of pediatric patients with NF1 requiring surgical intervention in which the youngest patient was 10 yr old.

OBJECTIVE 

To report the case of an 11-mo-old female with NF1 who presented with a plexiform cervical neurofibroma and focal cervical kyphosis. A comprehensive review of the literature and a detailed description of nonsurgical and surgical management for this patient population is described.

METHODS 

A literature review was completed for article reviewing management of pediatric patients with cervical spine injuries and NF1. The patient's chart was reviewed and the patient was followed for a year to provide adequate follow-up. Institutional Review Board (IRB)/ethics committee approval and patient consent were neither required nor sought for this study.

RESULTS 

The literature was reviewed, summarized, and utilized for operative planning and postoperative management. Postoperative imaging and 1-yr follow-up imaging showed anterior construct and lateral mass fusion, restoration of cervical alignment, and no neurological deficits.

CONCLUSION 

This is the youngest reported patient to have surgical cervical kyphosis correction in the setting of NF1. A review of the literature helped develop a long-term plan and shape a novel same-day front-back-front approach to restore alignment that will be of use to teams managing these complex patients in the future.