Editor—Neurofibromas are benign nerve sheath tumours of a heterogeneous nature consisting of Schwann cells, fibroblastic elements, and embedded axons. Neurofibromas may occur singly in genetically normal people at any point along the peripheral nervous system. Multiple neurofibromas are nearly pathognomonic for neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). In patients with NF1, neurofibromas may be congenital and plexiform or, more commonly, may be smaller masses that begin to accumulate around the time of puberty. Cutaneous and subcutaneous neurofibromas may cause considerable cosmetic disfigurement, but rarely result in neurological dysfunction. Conversely, deep seated neurofibromas on peripheral nerves and spinal roots frequently lead to neurological disability. Inevitably, adult patients with NF1 have other stigmata of the disorder with the most common being café au lait spots, skin fold freckling, and Lisch nodules.1 2 NF1 is an autosomal dominant disorder with full penetrance and a defined genetic aetiology that shows no evidence of locus heterogeneity.3Neurofibromatosis 2 patients are rarely found to have one or more neurofibromas.4 5

Recently, we have become aware of a small number of patients with multiple pathologically proven neurofibromas, who have no other stigmata of NF1. Here we report the clinical characteristics and pathological findings of these patients, and propose the terminology “multiple isolated neurofibromas” to describe this rare condition.