Delayed presentation of congenital tibial pseudarthrosis and neurofibromatosis: a difficult union

Background: A new case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) presents yearly to CSC, but treatment is prolonged, and not always successful.

Objective: To study the outcomes of treatment, and to determine whether a relationship with neurofibromatosis (NF) was of significance.

Methods: A review of the medical records at our centre revealed 11 cases of CPT, 5 of which were associated with neurofibromatosis.

Results: Most patients had multiple operations for their case of CPT, which did finally lead to union in 6 out of 6 cases with no NF, but in only 1 case out of 5 when NF was present.

Conclusion: Late presentation and severe deformity can be overcome, and union can be achieved, but NF has a deleterious effect on obtaining union.