Neurofibromatosis1and fibrous dysplasia2were both originally described by von Recklinghausen. Some authors believe these two disorders may be genetically related.3-5ers consider them separate, unrelated entities.6-12The issue has yet to be resolved. Jaffe has argued against a relationship of the two conditions. In addition to other reasons, he stated: "No one has noted among the antecedents and siblings of patients with fibrous dysplasia any special prevalence of typical neurofibromatosis. Such a prevalence would have helped to interrelate the two disorders on a genetic basis."9The present study describes a unique family in which there are several individuals with neurofibromatosis and one child with fibrous dysplasia of the skull. Reports in the literature also describe similar osseous lesions, endocrinopathies, and cafe-au-lait spots in both syndromes. A regulator gene mutation is postulated as possibly responsible for this unusual presentation. Description of Family Propositus
