Management of spinal deformities and tibial pseudarthrosis in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1).

Early surgical intervention is recommended for the treatment dystrophic spinal deformity in children with NF-1. Good and sustainable curve correction without relevant thoracic growth inhibition can be achieved with growth-preserving techniques alone or in combination with short spinal fusion at the apex of the curve. Preoperative halo-gravity traction is a safe and very effective tool for the correction of severe and rigid deformity in order to avoid neurologic injury. Fracture union in tibial dysplasia with satisfactory functional results can be obtained in over 80% of the children by means of surgical resection of the pseudarthrosis, intramedullary nailing, and bone grafting. Wearing a brace until skeletal maturity is achieved is mandatory in order to minimize the risk of re-fracture.