Cervical Kyphosis in Neurofibromatosis Type I Chapter 23

Children with neurofibromatosis type I can develop cervical kyphosis. Severe cervical kyphosis in the setting of neurofibromatosis type I is a rare manifestation of the disease in the pediatric population, and it is often associated with vertebral dysplasia. Patients with a progressive deformity or neurological symptoms should be managed surgically. However, the presence of coexisting paraspinal and spinal cord tumors increases the risk of hemorrhaging and spinal cord injury during corrective surgery. Close follow-up is extremely important because complications and progression of the deformity are frequent.