Unusual presentation of a hypoglossal nerve neurofibroma

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type 1 genetic disorder is an inherited autosomal dominant trait with variable penetrance and expressivity and occurs in one of every 2000-3300 live births. Neurofibromatosis type 2, on the other hand, afflicts only one in approximately 50 000 people. Within these patients, the frequency of intra-oral involvement of neurofibromas has been reported in a range of 4-7%. Alternatively, neurofibromas in the oral cavity minus the presence of a neurofibromatosis disease has been documented but the prevalence is even less than stated earlier making a solitary neurofibroma of the tongue a rare occurrence. This article reports an unusual presentation of a neurofibroma masquerading as a lipoma with the tumour occurring at the base of the tongue.