Whole Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Diffusion Weighted Imaging : Potential Role in Neurofibromatosis

Whole Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Diffusion Weighted Imaging : Potential Role in Neurofibromatosis

Whole body MRI will be performed in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 1

PURPOSE 1:

To determine the total tumor load (neurofibroma) and to diagnose plexiform neurofibromas or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. All patients will be scanned two years after the baseline whole body MRI to investigate to investigate the changes of total tumor load.

PURPOSE 2: added value of diffusion weighted imaging in diagnosis of high-risk neurofibromas

PURPOSE 3 : to determine the apparent diffusion coefficient of the malignant nerve sheath tumors and neurofibroma.

PURPOSE 4 : correlation between histopathology of the surgically resected neurofibroma/malignant nerve sheath tumors and MRI findings

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, between 6 and 50 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are not allowed to be scanned on MRI (contra-indications: pacemaker ed.)