A Plexiform Neurofibroma Mimicking a Lipoma: A Rare Case.
- 1Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hôpital Universitaire International Cheikh Khalifa, Casablanca, MAR.
- 2Pathology, Hôpital Universitaire International Cheikh Khalifa, Casablanca, MAR.
Abstract
Plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs) are rare benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath, typically pathognomonic of neurofibromatosis type 1, and rarely isolated. We report the case of a 48-year-old man with a medical history of polycystic renal disease with chronic renal insufficiency with dialysis who presented with a painful, slowly enlarging mass in the lower right leg. The initial clinical examination and ultrasonography misdiagnosed the mass as a lipoma. In the operating room, the lesion was found to develop under the deep fascia with malignant features. Postoperative MRI demonstrated an irregular, lobulated aspect invading multiple muscle compartments and sparing the fibular cortex. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of PNF, with the classical spindle cells in a myxoid background and positive S-100 staining. The patient declined definitive excision. This case underscores the diagnostic difficulties of adult PNF, especially when it presents as a lipoma mimic. MRI and pathology remain the gold standard for diagnosis.
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BibTeX
@article{tazi2026plexiform,
title = {{A Plexiform Neurofibroma Mimicking a Lipoma: A Rare Case.}},
author = {Hamza Tazi and Maria Kharbouch and Rita Ait Benhamou and Yannis Ennachachibi and Mounia El Omari},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.116553},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899008},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A Plexiform Neurofibroma Mimicking a Lipoma: A Rare Case.
AU - Hamza Tazi
AU - Maria Kharbouch
AU - Rita Ait Benhamou
AU - Yannis Ennachachibi
AU - Mounia El Omari
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/19
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.116553
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899008
AB - Plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs) are rare benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath, typically pathognomonic of neurofibromatosis type 1, and rarely isolated. We report the case of a 48-year-old man with a medical history of polycystic renal disease with chronic renal insufficiency with dialysis who presented with a painful, slowly enlarging mass in the lower right leg. The initial clinical examination and ultrasonography misdiagnosed the mass as a lipoma. In the operating room, the lesion was found to develop under the deep fascia with malignant features. Postoperative MRI demonstrated an irregular, lobulated aspect invading multiple muscle compartments and sparing the fibular cortex. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of PNF, with the classical spindle cells in a myxoid background and positive S-100 staining. The patient declined definitive excision. This case underscores the diagnostic difficulties of adult PNF, especially when it presents as a lipoma mimic. MRI and pathology remain the gold standard for diagnosis.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -