A Clinical, Pathological, and Genetic Study of Multiple Neurofibromatosis

Abstract

This monograph on neurofibromatosis from the Hereditary Clinic of the Institute of Human Biology, University of Michigan, was written by a dermatologist in collaboration with two geneticists. It presents the conclusions reached by a study undertaken in an effort to develop a representative picture of the clinical and genetic aspects of a relatively rare disease with protean manifestations. The material on which the monograph is based consists of 227 patients seen at the University of Michigan Hospital during the years 1934 to 1950. For the purposes of this study the patients were interviewed by a trained field worker and a tentative pedigree was drawn up as a basis for planning physician contacts with other members of the family. Affected persons were given a complete cutaneous examination, and a detailed medical and personal history was obtained. Whenever feasible, the patients and as many members of the family as possible were brought