[Usefulness of systematic brain magnetic resonance imaging in children with neurofibromatosis type 1]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of systematic screening of asymptomatic neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) children with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

We retrospectively reviewed the MRIs of children diagnosed with NF1 disease according to the National Institutes of Health criteria, who had been followed for at least 1 year by the department of pediatric neurology (Lyon, France). Brain MRI was systematically performed in asymptomatic patients under 6 years of age.

One hundred patients with a median follow-up of 3.7 years (range, 1-8.6 years) were reviewed. Brain MRI was performed in a total of 94 children. Nine optic pathway gliomas were detected in symptomatic patients. Six children had symptoms caused by the tumor. Gliomas remained stable in 10 patients; 1 symptomatic glioma in an 8-year-old girl required treatment. Spontaneous regression was seen in 1 patient.

Our results suggest that MRI screening of asymptomatic children to detect optic pathway gliomas does not improve the therapeutic decision and should not be performed systematically. We suggest further investigation in collaboration with the French NF Network.