Facial plexiform neurofibroma: is it truly just skin deep?

A middle-aged Chinese woman presented with a slowly enlarging mass over the right side of her face that was later proven histologically to be a plexiform neurofibroma. This was associated with a localised depression over her right temple. There were no other features of neurofibromatosis-1. The presentation and biological behaviour of plexiform neurofibromas are reviewed in this manuscript. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of plexiform neurofibromas with their surrounding structures, as well as the postulated mechanisms by which this occurs.