Otologic manifestations of neurofibromatosis

A chart review of 440 patients with neurofibromatosis seen at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Neurofibromatosis Clinic between 1980 and 1991 was performed to look for otologic manifestations. Neurofibromatosis 1 was present in 434 patients, and neurofibromatosis 2 was present in 6. A total of 31 otologic abnormalities related to neurofibromatosis were found in 28 patients. Neurofibromas of the external ear, including the pinna and the external auditory canal, were the most common finding. Middle ear neurofibromas were found in two patients. Acoustic neuromas were seen exclusively in patients believed to have neurofibromatosis 2. One cerebellopontine angle neurofibrosarcoma was found in a patient with neurofibromatosis 1.