New Treatment Center

Under the direction of a Medical School surgeon, the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) yesterday opened a clinic for treatment of neuro fibromatosis, a genetic nerve disorder which currently afflicts an estimated 100,000 Americans.

Dr. Robert L. Martuza, instructor in surgery, will direct the clinic, the first of its kind in New England. Dr. Martuza was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The ailment, also known as von Recklinghausen's disease, usually begins in childhood and can cause skin polyps, or growths, multiple brain tumors and in some cases, mental retardation.

The Elephant Man

One of the most severe cases on record is that of John Merrick, the subject of the current play and motion picture "The Elephant Man."

Although neuro fibromatosis has no known cure or prevention, patients can be successfully treated, a MGH official said yesterday, adding that the new clinic will facilitate this treatment.

Because the disease is so complicated, patients usually have to move around from one specialist to another--the clinic should eliminate this problem," the official said.

The clinic will offer a number of specialists, including neurologists, dermatologists, psychologists, opthamologists and genetics experts, he said, adding that a backup team of general and plastic surgeons will also be available.

The official said that in addition to offering improved care for patients, the clinic may help doctors in their search for a cure or prevention.