Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42776276›Full record

ArticleNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2026

Management of plexiform neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis type 1: An Italian Delphi consensus.

Claudia Santoro, Elena Arkhangelskaya, Ambra Bonvicino, Irene Bruno, Mario Cirillo, Maria Cristina Diana, Marica Eoli, Flavio Facchini, Franco Ionna, Chiara Leoni and 7 more

Abstract readConsensus Statement
In one paragraph

Article in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Claudia SantoroDepartment of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.
Elena ArkhangelskayaRadiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.
Ambra BonvicinoDermatology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy.
Irene BrunoDepartment of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
Mario CirilloDepartment of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
Maria Cristina DianaPediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.
Marica EoliUnit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Member of the European Reference Network Genturis, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy.
Flavio FacchiniPlastic Surgery, Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy.
Franco IonnaDipartimento di Medicina e Scienze della Salute "V. Tiberio" della Università degli studi del Molise, Oncologia Chirurgia Cervico-Facciale, Pineta Grande Hospital Castel Volturno CE, Castel Volturno, Italy.
Chiara LeoniDepartment of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Center for Rare Diseases and Birth Defects, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
Marina MacchiaioloRare Diseases and Medical Genetic Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Roma, Italy.
Giuseppe MarulliDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.
Vittoria NazziDepartment of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy.
Sergio PaoliniDepartment of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy.
Eva TrevissonDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, Clinical Genetics Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Martino RuggieriUnit Pediatric Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico", PO "G. Rodolico", University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Veronica SalettiDepartment of Pediatric Neuroscience, Member of the European Reference Network Genturis, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Celoria 11 street, Milano, 20121, Italy. veronica.saletti@istituto-besta.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4830-6204

Funding

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Alexion Pharmaceuticals
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPlexiform neurofibromas (PNs) are among the most complex and challenging manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Recent advances in understanding their epidemiology, natural history, biology, and imaging features, together with the introduction of MEK inhibitors, have significantly reshaped clinical management. Despite availability of international recommendations for tumor surveillance in NF1, several aspects of PN management remain incompletely defined in clinical practice.

methodsA multidisciplinary panel of 17 Italian NF1 experts conducted a Real-Time Delphi consensus process including a literature review, thematic analysis, and development of consensus statements. Key domains encompassed diagnosis, imaging assessment, surveillance, surgical evaluation, multidisciplinary management, and treatment of PNs. Two rounds of voting were conducted through a dedicated online platform, ensuring anonymity, real-time feedback, and iterative refinement of the statements.

resultsConsensus was achieved on 49 final statements. Key recommendations emphasized the importance of early identification of PNs, assessment of internal tumor burden through whole-body MRI, standardized imaging acquisition and reporting, timely recognition and characterization of distinct nodular lesions, and implementation of risk-adapted surveillance strategies. The panel also underscored the importance of patient education regarding signs suggestive of malignant transformation, and recommended a structured multidisciplinary approach to clinical decision-making. Agreement was additionally reached on practical aspects including radiological follow-up, criteria for surgical referral, definitions of PN-related symptoms, inoperability, and integration of surgical and targeted treatment strategies.

conclusionsThis national consensus provides an evidence-informed and clinically oriented framework for management of NF1-associated PNs. Complementing existing international recommendations, it offers practical guidance in areas where evidence remains limited.

Indexed as

Neurofibroma, PlexiformNeurofibromatosis 1Delphi TechniqueHumansItalyConsensusDelphi methodNeurofibromatosis type 1Plexiform neurofibroma

Identifiers

PMID42776276
PMCPMC13601175

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.