Novel mutation of neurofibromatosis type 1 in a patient with cerebral vasculopathy and fatal ischemic stroke

Abstract

Vascular lesions are infrequently recognized as manifestations of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), but they can produce serious complications and contribute to mortality at younger ages. Here we report the case of a young female patient with NF1 who suffered from a fatal middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct. In addition to the MCA infarct, head MRI also disclosed old infarcts at bilateral cerebella and multiple intracranial arterial steno-occlusions. Stroke related to NF1 cerebral vasculopathy was highly suggested after other diseases were excluded. Additionally, genetic analysis of the patient identified a novel mutation at the splicing donor site, c. 2,409+2T>G that resulted in a splicing aberration.