[Type 2 neurofibromatosis: intergenerational differences in genetic and clinical expression]

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare dominantly inherited disease. Its clinical presentation can be completely different in children and adults and early diagnosis is often difficult. The NF2 gene molecular analysis can help for diagnosis, but its result can be negative in case of NF2 mosaicism.

We report the case of a 43-year-old man who had developed a severe phenotype with bilateral vestibular schwannomas at 19 years of age. His son presented a retinal hamartoma with loss of vision in his right eye at 2 months of age. At 9 years of age, asymptomatic schwannomas of the cranial nerves were discovered: cranial nerves X (left), XI (left), and VIII (bilateral). Partial constitutional NF2 deletion (from exons 2-7) was detected in his son. The deletion was not detectable in the DNA blood of his father and we strongly suspect a mosaic form of NF2.

Ophthalmological manifestations can be the initial sign of NF2 in childhood. These features must be actively sought during the first year of life in individuals at risk of NF2. NF2 mosaicism is often described as a mild form of NF2 with a very low risk of transmission to the carrier's children. We show that NF2 mosaicism can sometimes develop severe NF2 symptoms and we confirm that the transmission risk to the offspring depends on the proportion of zygotes carrying the mutation. NF2 remains a life-limiting and life-spoiling condition. Early diagnosis is necessary to prevent complications and the follow-up of NF2 patients must be organized throughout life in specialty centers.