Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Sep; 32(9): 614-7
Liu ZQ, Liu R, Shi XD, Li JX, Zou JZ

To report the clinical characteristics and treatment of 3 patients with juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG).A retrospective review of the medical records of 3 patients with JXG.JXG was characterized by solitary or multiple yellowish cutaneous nodules, or eye involvement . It could also affect pituitary. JXG was easily misdiagnosed as Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Treatment for JXG was surgical excision of a solitary skin lesion and some cases might be, spontaneous regression. In cases with multisystem involvement, chemotherapy regimens used to treat LCH may be effective.JXG is one of the more common non-Langerhans histiocytic proliferations and is frequently seen in infants and children. LCH-like chemotherapy is effective for patients with symptomatic multisystem JXG.

Hua Xi Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Dec; 29(6): 604-9
Zhao Y, Zheng Y, Zhang L, Yao T, Wu L

To study clinicopathological features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis of oral Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), retrospective clinicopathologic study was carried on and a variety of immune phenotype were detected.The clinicopathological features of 29 cases of oral LCH were analyzed. The immunohistochemical staining of S-100 protein, CD1a, CD83 and Ki-67 were used in above cases by immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin peroxidase (SP) and Elivison two-step method. Statistical analysis was adopted for the results.Of the 29 cases of LCH, the expression of S-100 protein and CD1a were positive in 24 cases and negative in 5 cases, so 5 cases were excluded from the diagnosis of LCH. Among 24 cases of LCH, 15 patients were male and 9 were female. The median age was 7.50 years. 14 lesions were in the mandible, 5 were in the maxilla and 5 involved the mandible and maxilla. 9 cases were in stage I, 13 in stage II and 2 in stage III, according to Bartnick classification. Immunohistochemistry showed all 24 cases staining for S-100 protein and CD1a were positive. Comparing with maxillofacial lesions involved soft tissue, Ki-67 positive rate was lower and CD83 positive rate was higher in maxillofacial single bone lesion.The immunohistochemical staining of S-100 protein and CD1a are important for the diagnosis of LCH. Maxillofacial bone single LCH might have lower proliferative activity and a higher state of maturity. Maxillofacial LCH involved soft tissue might have a higher proliferative activity and a lower state of maturity.

Lijec Vjesn. 2011 Nov-Dec; 133(11-12): 376-84
Bilić E, Bojanić K, Pavlović M, Konja J, Femenić R, Dapić T, Antabak A, Anticević D, Murat-Susić S, Husar K, Potocki K, Rajić L

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease characterised by pathologic accumulation and proliferation of histiocytes, cells from the monocyte-macrophage system, in various tissues and organs. In this retrospective study we analyzed patients charts treated in the Department of pediatric hematology and oncology at the University Hospital Zagreb with the diagnosis of LCH. Twenty-two children were diagnosed between January 1st 1996 and December 31st 2010, and all were treated with chemotherapy. 19 patients survived (86%) and the remaining 3 (14%), all under the age of 2 with multisystem disease, died. At the time of diagnosis 12 children (55%) presented with single-system disease, the most common were bone lesions in 8 children (36%). All children were treated according to protocols LCH-I and LCH -III. Eight children had mild complications of treatment and the disease itself. Diabetes insipidus remains in 4 children.

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2012 Feb 9;
Nakamura T, Morimoto N, Goto F, Shioda Y, Hoshino H, Kubota M, Taiji H

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a very rare disease in which granulation tissue forms in various organs and the central nervous system (CNS) due to monoclonal proliferation of Langerhans cells. Some patients develop ataxia, tremor, or neurodegenerative abnormalities (such as personality changes and mental deterioration) several years after the onset as the late effects of LCH. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy with LCH, showing speech disorder, truncal ataxia and a wide-based gait with abnormal findings of central nervous system in CT and MRI image. The results of auditory brain stem response revealed a conduction block in the auditory conduction pathway, suggesting an axonopathy of the brain stem. Disequilibrium may be due to brainstem dysfunction associated with paraneoplastic syndrome because an anti-GluRɛ2 antibody was seen. Paraneoplastic syndrome is a neuropathy induced through an autoimmune mechanism caused by an antibody directed against the nervous system. Neuro-otological examination is helpful for the assessment of CNS neurodegeneration associated with LCH.

Indian Pediatr. 2012 Jan 8; 49(1): 79
Gupta V, Bansal M

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2011; 24(11-12): 1059-61
Baş VN, Cetinkaya S, Apaydin S, Bozkurt C, Cavuşoğlu YH, Aycan Z

Thyroid involvement with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is very rare. We report here the case of a 15-year-old female patient with LCH affecting the thyroid gland. She was referred to the department of pediatric endocrinology for secondary amenorrhea. Prior to the diagnosis of LCH, the patient had symptoms of diabetes insipidus (DI) and amenorrhea. The mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 2 years. On physical examination the patient had grade 2 goiter, and ultrasound showed bilateral multiple hypoechoic nodules and thyroid heterogeneity. Biochemical analysis indicated central diabetes insipidus and panhypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a mass lesion involving the hypothalamus, which appeared iso- to hypo-intense on T2-weighted images and had an intense postcontrast enhancement on T1-weighted images. Nodular goiter coinciding with a hypothalamic mass suggested LCH, and an excisional biopsy was performed. Histological evaluation of the thyroid gland revealed extensive involvement by LCH, and this was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis showing S-100 protein and CD1a positive Langerhans cells that were weakly positive for CD68. LCH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a diffusely enlarged firm and irregular thyroid gland and posterior or anterior pituitary dysfunction.

Dermatol Online J. 2012; 18(1): 8
Oliveira A, Pinto de Almeida T, Lobo I, Machado S, Selores M

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by a pathological proliferation of cells phenotypically similar to Langerhans cells. The disease course is variable, alternating between resolving and potentially fatal forms. The diagnosis is based on clinical appearance and confirmed by CD1a positivity and / or immunohistochemistry. We report the case of a male child of 3 months with two different presentations of Langerhans cell-histiocytosis (LCH) at different times. The first presentation was classified as a self-healing LCH (formerly known as Hashimoto-Pritzker). The last presentation, although clinically suggestive of Letterer-Siwe (former designation), was not associated with systemic disease. This emphasizes that LCH cannot be compartmentalized into four groups, but considered a single disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. This case underscores the importance of frequent and long-term follow-up of these patients.

Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Jan 31;
Hervier B, Arnaud L, Charlotte F, Wechsler B, Piette JC, Amoura Z, Haroche J

OBJECTIVES: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, characterized by a foamy CD68+, CD1a- histiocyte tissue infiltration. Efficacy of standard doses of interferon-α-2a (IFNα) has been suggested in a small series but with variation, depending on the organs involved. Our aim was to report our single-center experience about the use of high-dose IFNα in ECD. METHODS: Twenty-four ECD patients have received high-dose IFNα (IFNα ≥18 mIU/wk or pegylated-IFNα ≥180 μg/wk). IFNα efficacy was evaluated clinically and morphologically using a standardized protocol (median follow-up 19 months). RESULTS: Indication for treatment was central nervous system and/or heart involvement (n = 20), exophthalmos (n = 1), and standard-dose IFNα inefficacy (n = 3). High-dose IFNα was effective in 16 patients (67%) with improvement (n = 11, 46%) and stabilization (n = 5, 21%). Late and gradual improvement was observed during prolonged follow-up in most patients. The efficacy of high-dose IFNα was dependent on the organs involved: central nervous system and heart improvement or stabilization occurred in 7/11 (64%) and 11/14 (79%) patients, respectively. Six patients (25%) worsened. High doses of IFNα were well-tolerated: 13 (54.2%) patients had side effects but treatment interruption was infrequent (n = 3, 12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose IFNα may be effective in severe ECD. Improvement may be slow, and high-dose IFNα treatment should be prolonged.

J Pediatr. 2012 Jan 26;
Ronceray L, Pötschger U, Janka G, Gadner H, Minkov M,

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of pulmonary involvement on the course and outcome of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (MS-LCH) in children. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 420 consecutive patients with MS-LCH. In this analysis, the term "risk organs" is defined as involvement of the liver, spleen, and/or hematopoietic system. The effect of pulmonary involvement on survival was assessed with multivariate Cox regression with adjustment for risk organs involvement and age. RESULTS: Pulmonary involvement in MS-LCH was present at diagnosis in 102 patients (24%). Of the 318 patients without pulmonary involvement at diagnosis, it developed in 28 within a median of 10 months (range, 1 month-5.5 years). The 5-year overall survival rate in patients without risk organ involvement at diagnosis was 96% in patients without pulmonary involvement and 94% in those with pulmonary involvement. In patients with risk organ involvement at diagnosis, the 5-year overall survival rate was 73% in patients without pulmonary involvement and 65% in patients with pulmonary involvement. In multivariate analysis, pulmonary involvement at diagnosis had no significant impact on survival rats (P = .109, hazard ratio = 1.5). CONCLUSIONS: In multivariate analysis, pulmonary involvement was not an independent prognostic variable and should therefore be excluded from the definition of risk organ involvement in MS-LCH.

An Bras Dermatol. 2011 Dec; 86(6): 1222-1225
Azulay-Abulafia L, Benez MD, Abreu CD, Miranda CV, Alves MD

The present paper reports a case of benign cephalic histiocytosis in a 15-month baby boy, who developed multiple papules bilaterally in the malar region with no other associated manifestations. Histopathology revealed a papillary dermal pattern, while immunohistochemistry was negative for S100 and CD1a and positive for CD68. Therefore, diagnosis was established as non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, based on the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features present.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Jan 25;
Makras P, Polyzos SA, Anastasilakis AD, Terpos E, Kanakis G, Schini M, Papatheodorou A, Kaltsas GA

Context:Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology with a strong evidence of immunological dysfunction secondary to cytokine dysregulation.Objective:This study aimed to evaluate serum receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) levels in adult patients with LCH at various stages of the disease.Design:This was a cross-sectional study in an adult LCH cohort followed for 12.2 ± 2.1 yr.Setting:The study was conducted in an outpatient clinic.Subjects:Twenty-five adult patients with a definitive LCH diagnosis and 50 matched controls participated in the study.Interventions:Early morning, fasting, venous sampling was conducted in all subjects.Main Outcome Measure:We compared RANKL, OPG, and Dkk-1 serum levels between patients and controls, as well as their association with disease parameters.Results:Serum OPG levels were significantly higher (3.0 ± 0.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.1 pmol/liter; P < 0.001), whereas RANKL/OPG ratio was significantly lower (0.201 ± 0.041 vs. 0.471 ± 0.072; P = 0.02) in LCH patients compared to controls. Both higher OPG (adjusted odds ratio, 3.431; 95% confidence interval, 1.329-8.924) and lower RANKL (adjusted odds ratio, 0.144; 95% confidence interval, 0.034-0.605) levels were independently associated with LCH in logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for all other parameters. Dkk-1 did not differ among patients and controls.Conclusions:Adults with LCH have high serum OPG levels and low serum RANKL levels. In contrast with other disorders involving the skeleton, serum Dkk-1 levels are similar between LCH patients and controls.

Klin Onkol. 2011; 24(6): 460-4
Ioannidis O, Sekouli A, Paraskevas G, Chatzopoulos S, Kotronis A, Papadimitriou N, Konstantara A, Makrantonakis A, Kakoutis E

BACKROUNDS: Eosinophilic granuloma is one of the rarest causes of bone tumors, especially in adults. Eosinophilic granuloma is the commonest form of Langerhans cell histiocytosis and represents the unifocal osseous form of the disease which usually affects the skull and long bones. Eosinophilic granuloma, is a benign disease in which diagnosis and differential diagnosis presents more difficulties than treatment. OBSERVATION: We present a case of eosinophilic granuloma of the rib with long term follow-up of 14 years which was treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Prognosis of adult eosinophilic granuloma is excellent and the recurrence rate is limited. All available treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, radiation, and even palliative treatment have very good results and in many cases the disease seems to heal spontaneously. However the disease, due to its rarity and unknown pathogenesis still remains an enigma for the clinical doctor.