CUTANEOUS TUMORS OF VON RECKLINGHAUSEN'S DISEASE (NEUROFIBROMATOSIS)

Abstract

We wish to report a histologic study of the cutaneous tumors in 15 typical cases of von Recklinghausen's disease (neurofibromatosis) seen in the section on dermatology and syphilology of the Mayo Clinic. The purpose of the study is an attempt to assist in clarifying present conflicting opinions regarding the fibromatous, or neural, origin of these tumors. This study involves chiefly the demonstration of individual nerve fibers in the tumors. For this purpose, an activated strong protein silver (protargol) stain was utilized. This method, first described by Bodian, 1 is a simple procedure for staining mounted paraffin sections of the central and peripheral nervous systems with reduced silver. It produces uniform, sharp, specific staining of peripheral nerve fibers in contrast to the fainter, grayish purple reticulum and coarser, lighter-staining collagen fibers, which are more readily distinguishable than they are when the usual argentophilic technic is employed. The procedure