Solitary plexiform neurofibroma of the stomach: a case report

Plexiform neurofibroma (PN) of the digestive tract is very rare and usually part of the generalized syndrome of neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen disease). Solitary PN of the stomach is extremely rare and has not been reported in the literatures. Here we present a case of solitary PN of the stomach, which was not associated with von Recklinghausen disease. A 38-year-old male presented abdominal pain and distention for 7 d. The patient underwent endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which revealed a 3.5 cm protruding and cauliflower-shaped mass with a shallow 1 cm central ulcer in the greater curvature of the stomach. The lesion was removed by laparoscopic surgery. Histological examination demonstrated characteristic histological findings of spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, but negative for CD34, KI-67, CD117, and actin. Based on histological findings, gastrointestinal stromal tumor could be excluded, and thus the case was confirmed as PN. We described the clinical features, physical examination, endoscopic findings, and histopathological examination of this case.