Plexiform neurofibroma of penis.

Received January 2006 Accepted December 2006 INTRODUCTION Neurofibromas are tumors originating from the Schwann cells in the neural sheath of the cranial, peripheral, and visceral nerves. The gross appearance of neurofibromas varies greatly in different lesions. Superficial tumors appear as small, soft, pedunculated, or sessile nodules protruding from the skin. But, deeper tumors are larger. Tumors resulting in diffuse tortuous enlargement of the peripheral nerves are designated as plexiform neurofibromas.(1) This particular form of neurofibroma is more commonly seen in the orbit, the neck, the back, and the inguinal region, and diffuse involvement of the nerves may make complete resection impossible. Primary neurofibromas of the penis are extremely rare. To our knowledge, since 1970, only 7 cases have been reported.(2,3) We hereby report another case of plexiform neurofibroma of the penis. CASE REPORT A 5-year-old mentally and developmentally retarded boy presented with massive penile enlargement started shortly after circumcision 2 years earlier. He had a history of laryngomalacia in infancy, which had improved without surgery, and a history of tonsillectomy and left orchiopexy. There was no family history of a similar condition. Physical examination revealed massive enlargement of the entire penis with firm consistency and no tenderness (Figure 1). He did not have any cafeau-lait spots anywhere. In addition, he had dysarthria. The kidneys and the bladder were normal on ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large penile mass with extensive involvement of the cavernous bodies and corpus spongiosum (Figures 2 and 3).