Plexiform neurofibroma of the head and neck in children

Two children with plexiform neurofibroma of the head and neck are reported. Although typical in presentation and clinical and operative findings, they demonstrate the difficulty in diagnosis and surgical management. Both presented with café-au-lait spots and solitary swelling of the neck of prolonged duration; they were subjected to lymph node biopsy, and the diagnoses were made only during surgical exploration. The dangers and difficulties of complete excision are pointed out, and the literature is reviewed.