Neurofibromatosis 1: Diagnosis and Management

Von Recklinghausen or neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant condition that results in skin changes and noncancerous tumors along the nerves in the body. It is blind in regards to ethnicity, race, or sex. With a prevalence rate of 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 3,500 individuals, it is likely that the nurse practitioner will encounter an individual with neurofibromatosis sometime in his/her career. The aim of this article is to give a brief synopsis of the etiology, clinical manifestations, and symptomatic treatment as well as guidance on monitoring, when to refer, health promotion, and teaching of the neurofibromatosis type 1 patient.