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Newborn Apnea Caused by a Neurofibroma at the Craniocervical Junction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

David B. Clarke ,
Jean-Pierre Farmer ,
José L. Montes ,
Gordon V. Watters  and
Guy Rouleau
David B. Clarke
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal
Jean-Pierre Farmer*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal
José L. Montes
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal
Gordon V. Watters
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal
Guy Rouleau
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal
*
Division of Neurosurgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, 2300 Tupper Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3H 1P3
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Abstract:

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The authors report, for the first time, the finding by magnetic resonance imaging of a neurofibroma at the craniocervical junction with upper cervical cord and lower brainstem compression causing complete apnea from birth. Subsequent subtotal resection of the neurofibroma resulted in the successful extubation of a previously ventilator-dependent patient. After a two month period of breathing spontaneously, the newborn developed an upper respiratory tract infection and was reintubated. The patient, unable to be weaned off of the respirator, was extubated and expired shortly thereafter, at the age of five months. The authors suggest that in newborns with unexplained apnea, MRI of the craniocervical junction is indicated. Certain patients may be discovered who have less compromised cervicomedullary function and are afflicted by less aggressive forms of neurofibromatosis type 1. These patients may benefit permanently from a surgical decompression.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 1994 , pp. 64 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1994

References

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