Multiple Pacinian neurofibroma and relationship with the finger-tip arterio-venous anastomoses

Abstract

Multiple Pacinian neurofibromas involving the three phalanges of the ring finger of the left hand in a 60-year-old woman are described. The abnormal proliferation of Vater-Pacini corpuscles in various stages of differentiation was associated with marked changes of the glomus type of arterio-venous anastomoses of the finger-tip. The close relationship between the new proliferated Vater-Pacini corpuscles, their altered baresthetic function and the pathological shunting of blood account for the painful Raynaud-like symptoms. The name 'Pacinian neurofibromatosis' is proposed.