Langerhans cell histiocytosis with aneurysmal bone cyst-like changes: a case-based literature review.

BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a neoplastic transformation of myeloid precursors that commonly presents as an osteolytic lesion of the long or flat bones in children. Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign neoplasms that frequently affect the metaphysis of long bones and the spine, often revealing a rapidly expansile lesion with fluid-fluid levels. LCH with secondary ABC-like changes is a rare condition that has only been reported five times, with two presentations in the cranium. The aim of this paper is to review the etiology, clinical and radiographic presentations, and treatment of this condition, as well as to present a novel case on the topic. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a 5-year-old boy with a rapidly growing head mass and eye pain resulting in a diagnosis of LCH with secondary ABC-like changes. Radiography demonstrated an expansile, lytic lesion of the left parietal bone with fluid-fluid levels. A confirmatory diagnosis was made through histopathology, demonstrating an inflammatory, histiocytic infiltrate staining positive for CD1a, CD68, CD207 (Langerin), and S-100. The lesion was surgically excised, and the patient recovered without any complications. CONCLUSION: We present a novel case of LCH with secondary ABC-like changes managed with surgical excision. While a radiographic workup with multiple imaging modalities is helpful for diagnosis, a thorough immunohistochemical analysis is essential as imaging characteristics are variable and nonspecific. Furthermore, surgical excision should be considered first-line treatment for lesions involving the skull in surgically accessible areas as it is curative, alleviates symptoms, and allows for histopathological diagnosis.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in the Pediatric Spine Requiring Stabilization: A Literature Review and Report of 3 Cases.

CASE: This report describes 3 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the cervical and thoracic spine in patients aged 4 to 10 years. Each patient had painful lytic spinal lesions with vertebral body collapse and posterior involvement suggesting instability requiring corpectomy, grafting, and fusion. All 3 patients were doing well at their most recent follow-up without pain or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although LCH of the pediatric spine is usually successfully treated non-operatively, we recommend corpectomy and fusion when there is instability of the spinal column and/or severe stenosis. Posterior element involvement occurred in all 3 cases and may lead to instability.

Eosinophilic granuloma of the calvarium: is conservative management a valid option? Illustrative case and systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophilic granuloma (EG) is the most common form of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, presenting as a single osteolytic lesion of the calvarium. Its diagnosis is based on typical clinical and radiological features. While surgical resection has been the standard treatment for EG, growing evidence favors watchful waiting, as unifocal calvarial lesions appear to frequently undergo spontaneous remission. However, histopathological confirmations of this hypothesis are still very limited. METHODS: Methods. Here, we report a case of EG with typical clinical and radiological features which, due to intervening circumstances, was resected in a delayed fashion. Moreover, we perform a systematic review of the literature on conservative management of EG. RESULTS: In our case, histological examination showed ongoing bone regeneration with no traces of the disease. Through our literature review, we found 47 cases of calvarial EG managed with watchful waiting. No active intervention was required in 43 cases (91%). Four patients (9%) received surgery or chemotherapy due to the persistence/progression of symptoms or family request. Three reports other than ours documented spontaneous disease remission in surgically resected EG upon histopathological examination. CONCLUSION: Our report provides further evidence that watchful waiting can be a reasonable option in the management of single calvarial EG.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Localized Cranial Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Single Institution Experience and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare idiopathic disease characterized by the clonal proliferation of Langerhans histiocytes in various parts of the body and capable of leading to organ damage and tumor formation. Reports of cranial LCH in the adult population are extremely rare. Although surgery remains the preferred option for localized LCH lesions, the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is emerging. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review a rare case series to determine the safety and effectiveness of SRS for patients with localized cranial LCH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed histopathologically confirmed cases of localized cranial LCH treated with SRS at our institute in the adult population between January 2005 and September 2022. Five patients were identified with a median age of 34 years (19-54 years). The tumor location was in the pituitary stalk in 3 patients, the orbit in one patient, and the parietal skull in one patient. The median target volume was 2.8 cc (range: 0.37-6.11). Treatment was delivered in a single fraction in 4 patients (median margin dose of 8 Gy, range: 7-10 Gy) and in 3 fractions (22.5 Gy) in 1 patient. The median follow-up was 12 years (range: 4-17). None of the patients required craniotomy for tumor debulking before or after SRS. RESULTS: The local tumor control rate for the lesions was 100%. All 3 patients with LCH in the pituitary stalk had diabetes insipidus at the initial presentation and developed panhypopituitarism after SRS. Diabetes insipidus was not improved after SRS. The other 2 patients presented no adverse radiation effects. Based on the literature review, our case series was the largest retrospective series on SRS for localized cranial LCH, with the longest median follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SRS for patients with localized cranial LCH was a safe and effective treatment modality in this case series. Larger studies are encouraged to validate the role of SRS in the treatment of localized cranial LCH.

Cholesteatoma Masquerading as Recurrent Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare condition affecting the temporal bone in up to 60% of cases. Symptoms are non-specific and the differential diagnosis includes infection, benign lesions such as cholesteatoma, and malignant lesions of the skull base. Here, we report the case of a 14-yearold child referred with chronic ear discharge, and background of multifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis 9 years prior. Recurrence of Langerhans cell histiocytosis was initially suspected and systemic treatment was considered. Further imaging workup and surgical exploration of the mastoid showed a secondary acquired cholesteatoma arising from a dehiscent posterior ear canal wall. Surgical removal of the cholesteatoma was performed with a canal wall down procedure. We review the presentation and management of temporal bone Langerhans cell histiocytosis. We recommend that cholesteatoma should be considered in case of recurrence of otological symptoms in patients with a background of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Current perspectives on the role of liver transplantation for Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A narrative review.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a malignant disease of the histiocytes involving various organ systems. The spectrum of liver involvement in LCH ranges from mild transaminitis to end-stage liver disease. The hallmark of hepatic LCH is secondary sclerosing cholangitis, which manifests due to a progressive destruction of the biliary tree by malignant histiocytes. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for active LCH. Early recognition, diagnosis and a systematic approach to the management of LCH can ameliorate the disease process. Nonetheless, the liver involvement in these patients may progress despite the LCH being in remission. Liver transplantation (LT) remains central in the management of such patients. Various facets of the management of LCH, especially those with liver involvement remain unclear. Furthermore, aspects of LT in LCH with regards to the indication, timing and post-LT management, including immunosuppression and adjuvant therapy, remain undefined. This review summarises the current evidence and discusses the practical aspects of the role of LT in the management of LCH.

Aggressive unifocal bone Langerhans cell histiocytosis with soft tissue extension both responsive to radiotherapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare haematological neoplasm characterized by the accumulation of CD1a+, CD207/Langerin+ histiocytes within inflammatory lesions. LCH can involve any organ, but osteolytic bone lesions are most often encountered. Unifocal bone lesions may regress spontaneously after a thick needle biopsy has been taken. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, we describe the initial presentation of a single BRAFV600E mutated osteolytic LCH lesion in the left proximal humerus of a 46-year-old previously healthy woman. Despite multiple surgical interventions, she unexpectedly experienced progressive disease manifestation with significant soft tissue extension to the surrounding musculature, subcutis and epidermis. Because the disease manifestation remained loco-regional, radiotherapy (RT) (total dose of 20 Gy in 10 fractions) was initiated. CONCLUSION: The patient achieved a complete remission without any side effects. This case highlights that RT is a rational and relative mild local treatment option for patients with aggressive LCH affecting the bone and surrounding soft tissue.

“Doctora, me ha salido un huevo en la cabeza”. A propósito de dos casos / “Doctor, I have a bump on my head. Two cases”

El granuloma eosinófilo es un tipo de histiocitosis de células de Langerhans que afecta exclusivamente al hueso. Puede ser uni o multifocal, siendo la forma unifocal la más habitual. El cráneo es el hueso más afectado en niños, y es más frecuente en niños que en niñas, entre los 5 y 10 años. La radiografía convencional es el método diagnóstico más usado visualizando imágenes osteolíticas características de esta patología, aunque se precisa de una confirmación histológica para realizar el diagnóstico definitivo. Se describen dos casos de granuloma eosinófilo (AU)

Eosinophilic granuloma is a Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the bone. Presentacion of eosinophilic granuloma with a single (monostotic) bone lesion is more common than multiple (polyostotic) bone lesions. The most commonly involved bone is the skull in children. In childhood presentations, prevalence is greater in males and it is most common in children 5 to 10 years of age. Conventional radiograpshs have served as the primary imaginng method used to identify LCH lesions. Histologic confirmation is necessary for the diagnosis. (AU)

Liver transplantation in a child with liver cirrhosis caused by langerhans cell histiocytosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition that has a variety of clinical manifestations. But LCH in children localized only in the hepatobiliary system is unusual. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we reported a rare case of a 2-year-old boy who was serendipitously found to have elevated liver enzymes while undergoing treatment of a perianal abscess. After a period of earlier conservative treatment in another hospital, the perianal abscess had resolved but the levels of liver enzymes were still rising slowly. The child was then referred to our institution for a definitive diagnosis. After laboratory tests, imaging and pathological examinations, a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis was established, although the cause was unclear. Subsequently, living-donor liver transplantation was performed due to deterioration in liver function. Following successful liver transplantation, a diagnosis of LCH localized only within the hepatobiliary system was finally confirmed, based on additional pathological and imaging investigation. Additionally, the BRAF V600E mutation in this patient was also confirmed. The child has now recovered without evidence of LCH recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: LCH localized only within the hepatobiliary system is unusual. The presence of unexplainable sclerosing cholangitis and liver cirrhosis in any child should raise the suspicion of LCH.

Short-Term Resorption of Grafted Bone After Split Calvarial Bone Grafting for an Occipital Skull Defect in a Patient With Multisystem Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

ABSTRACT: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease in which LCH cells derived from myeloid dendritic cells proliferate and invade single or multiple systems. We have encountered a case of short-term resorption of the grafted bone after split calvarial bone grafting for an occipital skull defect in a 6-year-old girl with multisystem LCH in remission who was referred to our department for reconstructive surgery. We performed cranioplasty using a split calvarial bone graft. Two months after surgery, computed tomography scans revealed that most of the grafted bone had been resorbed. To our knowledge, there have been no such reports previously. There are 2 possible explanations for the resorption of an autologous bone graft in this patient. The first possibility is that the recipient site contained an active lesion and the second is that the bone resorption occurred because the bone graft was placed on the periosteum.

Solitary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of Skull: Case Report with One-year Follow-up.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterised by increased production of Langerhans-type histiocytes. It is more common in the pediatric age group with a predilection for osseous involvement, though any organ may be involved. A 10-year male child was brought to the neurosurgical clinic with a slow growing painful tender mass on the head. Initial attempt to biopsy the lesion failed due to excessive bleeding. It was later imaged and removed with a frontal craniotomy. Histopathological evaluation along with immunohistochemistry revealed the true nature of the lesion. Follow-up revealed complete excision of the lesion and no recurrence at one-year after surgery. Key Words: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Pediatric age, Skull.

Spontaneous Thyroid Hemorrhage Caused by Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Purpose: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare clonal disorder of Langerhans antigen-presenting cells. However, thyroid LCH involvement is relatively rare. We present the first case of spontaneous thyroid hemorrhage due to LCH progression and discuss the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatments of thyroid LCH in a literature review. Methods: Clinical data were collected. Previously published articles on thyroid LCH involvement were reviewed to assess the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatments for thyroid LCH. Results: A 54-year-old female presented with a multi-system LCH, affecting the uterus, liver, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland. Clinical stability was achieved after systemic chemotherapy. After 7 years of regular follow up, the patient complained of a sudden painful neck swelling and progressive dyspnea. Computed Tomography revealed bilateral goiter with hematoma, and the patient was diagnosed with spontaneous thyroid bleeding based on her clinical symptoms and radiological findings. The patient was incubated to relieve airway compromise and partial thyroidectomy was performed for definitive treatment. Pathological evaluation further confirmed the diagnosis of thyroid LCH. The patient recovered well after surgery. Conclusion: Spontaneous thyroid bleeding due to thyroid LCH progression is extremely rare. Treatments for LCH vary depending on the severity of the disease. We suggest that, for patients with multi-system LCH with thyroid lesion, long-term active surveillance of thyroid hormone concentrations, and thyroid gland volume is required. Physicians should be alert of the potentially life-threatening spontaneous thyroid hemorrhage when aggravated diffuse goiter and hypothyroidism appear. Further investigation is required to establish the guidelines for thyroid LCH treatment.

Surgical Strategy of Pediatric Benign Sacral Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Primary benign osseous tumors and tumor-like lesions at the sacrum are rare in the pediatric population and exact surgical strategy is still unclear. In this study, we evaluate the outcome for pediatric patients with benign tumors and tumor-like lesions at the sacrum who were receiving surgical treatment according to our proposed surgical strategy and classification. METHODS: We analyzed 49 pediatric patients with sacral benign tumors or tumor-like lesions aged 18 years and below from 2005 to 2018. There were 23 men and 26 women with a mean age of 14.0±3.8 years. Nineteen patients had giant cell tumors (GCTs), 9 aneurysmal bone cysts, 5 osteoblastomas, 5 neurogenic tumors, 3 hemangiomas, 3 teratomas, 2 Langerhans cell histiocytosis, 1 chondroblastoma, 1 fibrous dysplasia, and 1 GCT of tendon sheath. We proposed our surgical plan and surgical classification for pediatric patients with sacral benign tumors or tumor-like lesions. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 6.2 years (range, 1.0 to 18.9 y). GCTs (39%, 19/49) and primary aneurysmal bone cysts (18%, 9/49) are the top 2 common histologic types. Preoperative selective arterial embolization (SAE) was performed in 12 cases and 24 patients received intraoperative aortic balloon occlusion (ABO) as the preoperative surgical plan. Furthermore, according to tumor location at the sacrum, we classified surgical excision of sacral benign tumors and tumor-like lesions into 3 types. Fourteen cases were classified as type I, 27 as type II, 3 as type III, and 5 patients with neurogenic tumors cannot be classified into this surgical classification. Ten patients had wound complications. Two had femoral artery thrombosis because of ABO application. One had mechanical failure. Rate of local recurrence was 16%. Seven patients with GCTs and 1 with neurogenic tumor had local recurrence. No patient died of disease at the last follow-up. For the assessment of neurological function, the rate of neurological dysfunction was 12% (6/49). Four cases had urinary incontinence, 3 fecal incontinence, and 3 had bowel obstruction. Next, univariate analysis for influence of preoperative SAE and intraoperative ABO on complications demonstrated that both of them exerted no significant influence on the occurrence of oncological and nononcological complications. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed surgical strategy can provide an excellent therapeutic effect for pediatric benign tumors and tumor-like lesions at the sacrum. Preoperative SAE and intraoperative ABO can safeguard pediatric patients with high vascularity of benign tumor at the sacrum during the operation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.