Axial and peripheral skeletal features of von Recklinghausen's disease in the African.

A study of axial and peripheral skeletal features of von Recklinghausen's disease in 26 Nigerian African adults has been carried out. Widened intervertebral foramina were the commonest lesions in the axial skeleton of these patients. They occurred in 24 (92.30 percent) of all cervical vertebrae; 20 (76.92 percent) of all lumbar vertebrae; and 16 (61.53 percent) of all thoracic vertebrae. Six (23.08 percent) had lumbar scoliosis. Dysplastic pedicles appeared in 4 (14.38 percent). Malignant changes with bony erosion occurred in two (7.69 percent). Dumbbell features of intraspinal involvement were observed in one patient. It is suggested that in view of the protean nature of presentation of this disease, physicians should always bear it in mind in cases of unusual skeletal lesions and watch carefully for its identifying signs.