Neurofibromatosis type 1 (mnemonic)

Clinical diagnosis requires the presence of at least two criteria to confirm the presence of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) .

These diagnostic criteria can be remembered with the mnemonic:

• CAFE SPOT

Mnemonic

• C: café-au-lait spots (greater than six seen during one year)
• A: axillary or inguinal freckling
• F: fibromas (neurofibroma (two or more) or plexiform neurofibroma (one))
• E: eye hamartomas (Lisch nodules)
• S: skeletal abnormalities, e.g. sphenoid wing dysplasia, leg bowing
• P: positive family history
• OT: optic tumor (optic nerve glioma)