Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: case report with immunohistochemical analysis and literature review

A case report of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with atypical cutaneous presentation

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare systemic disorder characterized by histiocytic hyperplasia that mainly involves the skin, mucous membranes, and joints. The typical clinical features include papules, nodules, and arthritis. MRH lesions are relatively extensive but small and scattered. Joint inflammation is characterized by diffuse symmetric polyarthritis as the first symptom, which can be severe and disabling due to destructive joint changes. MRH is easily misdiagnosed in clinical practice. Here, we report the case of an elderly male patient who presented with polyarticular pain in the hip and interphalangeal joints as the first manifestation, followed by the development of large, isolated, bulging skin nodules, which are atypical MRH lesions. This is rare in all MRH case reports, and we made the correct diagnosis by combining skin histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and other clinical examinations. We performed surgical treatment on the local skin lesions of this patient. This case suggests that clinicians should actively correlate the condition and accurately diagnose MRH when encountering atypical skin changes or other diseases as the first symptom and explore the mechanisms of MRH and other clinical manifestations.

Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis-A rare and disabling disease

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis is a rare multisystemic condition associated with papulonodular skin lesions, severe arthritis and malignancy. Histopathology shows histiocytes containing abundant eosinophilic ground glass cytoplasm and multinucleated giant cells. Early recognition, age-appropriate malignancy work-up and treatment is important to prevent impairment of daily life activity.

Clinical characteristics of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis and distinguished features from rheumatoid arthritis: a single-center experience in China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH).

METHODS

The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results and histologic characteristics of eleven patients with MRH were collected and compared with those of 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

RESULTS

In total, 72.7% of the MRH patients were women. The median age was 46 years (range 33-84 years). Diagnosed by specific pathologic features, all MRH patients exhibited cutaneous involvement. The dorsa of the hands, arms, face and auricle were the most commonly affected areas. Nodules were also located on the legs, scalp, trunk, neck, and even the hypoglossis and buccal mucosa. Ten MRH patients (90.9%) had symmetric polyarthritis. Compared with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, MRH patients were more likely to have distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) involvement (63.6% vs 24.2%, P = 0.017) and less likely to have elbow (36.4% vs 72.7%, P = 0.003), ankle (45.5% vs 93.9%, P < 0.001) and metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) (36.4% vs 78.8%, P = 0.009) involvement. Positivity for rheumatoid factor (RF) (36.4% vs 84.6%, P = 0.001) and anti-CCP antibody (9.1% vs 81.8%, P = 0.000), as well as the median RF titer [43.8 (31.7-61.0) vs 175.4 (21.3-940.3), P = 0.021], in MRH patients was lower than in RA patients. Elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was also less common in MRH patients than in RA patients (36.4% vs 72.7%, P = 0.030). After treatment with median- to large-dose corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, 8 patients achieved complete remission and 2 patients partial remission (skin lesions ameliorated, joint lesions not ameliorated).

CONCLUSION

Always pathologically diagnosed, MRH is a systemic disease involving RA-like erosive polyarthritis and a specific distribution of skin nodules characterized by "coral beads". More DIP involvement and less elbow, ankle and MCP involvement are seen in MRH than in RA. In addition, less positivity and lower-titer RF, uncommon presence of anti-CCP antibodies and ESR elevation may be helpful to distinguish MRH from RA.

Skin Manifestation Associated With Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis

ABSTRACT

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare multisystem disorder, primarily affecting the skin and joints. As severe joint damage is a possible symptom, early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are required. Cutaneous lesions present with characteristic features such as discrete reddish nodules, especially on acral locations. Additionally, the face, scalp, trunk and extremities are also affected. Xanthomatous plaques are also seen on the face. The cutaneous manifestations of MRH are various, which therefore should be differentiated from several diseases. In particular, MRH has been reported to assume clinical appearances resembling Gottron papules, periungual erythema, V-neck erythema, shawl sign, and poikiloderma associated with dermatomyositis. Histopathologic features show proliferation of multinucleated giant cells with abundant eosinophilic granular ground glass-like cytoplasm in the dermis. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis is occasionally paraneoplastic and is associated with internal malignancies. The appropriate therapies are still challenging, and oral prednisolone, immunosuppressants, and recent biologics are used. In this article, cutaneous lesions, histopathology, and pathogenesis of MRH are mainly discussed from a dermatological perspective. It is important, not only for dermatologists but also for rheumatologists and orthopedists, to be able to distinguish between the various types of skin lesions brought on by MRH. Cutaneous signs are important diagnostic clues and assessment tools for therapeutic efficacy.

[Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: A case report]

A 65-year-old woman developed erythema, papules and nodules over the body. Some nodules of her auricles and hands like string beads. Besides, she suffered from symmetrical swelling and pain of multiple joints, morning stiffness with deformity of joints; She had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein levels; Her rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody were positive; Joints destruction was found with X-ray imaging; Skin pathology showed Dermal infiltrate of abundant histiocytes, part of them with a ground-glass appearance; A CD68 immunohistochemical stain was positive and the cells were negative for S100, CD1a. These findings were diagnostic evidences of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH). The patient received high-dose of glucocorticoids combinated with immunosuppressive agents, and achieved a satisfactory effect. MRH was a rare multisystem disease characterized by papulonodular mucocutaneous and destructive arthritis, and its pathogeny was not yet completely understood. The typical lesions of MRH were hard papules or nodules that usually occured on the hands, face and arms. Classic coral bead appearance from periungual cutaneous nodules that were characteristic of MRH. MRH was an inflammatory joint disease, affecting almost all the appendicular joints and characterized by joint multiple, symmetrical, destructive, progressive disability. Joints destruction of the distal interphalangeal joints was a unique feature of MRH. In addition to skin and joints, it could also involve other systems. There were no diagnostic laboratory markers for MRH. Laboratory examinations had often been found to be non-specific. Imageological examination mainly showed bone and joint destruction. Skin biopsy was the best test to diagnose MRH, the typical histopathological findings included an infiltrate with histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells with a ground-glass appearing in eosinophilic cytoplasm, and the immunohistochemical stain was positive for CD68. The diagnosis was typically made based on the clinical presentation, supportive radiographic findings and skin biopsy. MRH was easily possible to mistake for other more common autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and dermatomyositis, but the distinctive clinical, radiographic, and histologic features could aid in differentiating these diseases. MRH could mimic other rheumatic diseases, besides, it could also coexist with cancer or other autoimmune disorders. There was no standardized treatment for MRH. However, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoid, Immunosuppressant, biologic medications, and bisphosphonates had been used with varying degrees of curative effect. Treatment with glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressants were effective for rash and arthritis, early use of them should be strongly considered, and refractory cases could be treated with biological agents. By reporting a MRH case and reviewing literature, this paper aims to help the clinicians improve the understanding of this rare disease, and suggests that when one diagnosis cannot explain the whole picture of the disease, and further evidence should be sought to confirm the diagnosis.

A Rare Case of Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis with Concurrent Rheumatoid Arthritis

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare multisystem macrophage disorder of unknown etiology characterized by papulonodular skin and mucosal lesions, rapidly progressive erosive symmetric polyarthritis, and inflammation of internal organs. Most often, it is misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old woman found to have features of both MRH and RA with positive rheumatoid factor and high titer of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody in serum. It was confirmed by a histopathology of skin lesions, which showed diffuse histiocytic infiltrate with multinucleated giant cells. She was treated with methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and bisphosphonate.

Clinical Applications of Synovial Biopsy

The synovial tissue is a primary target of multiple diseases characterized by different pathogenic mechanisms, including infective, deposition, neoplastic, and chronic immune-inflammatory pathologies. Synovial biopsy can have a relevant role in differential diagnosis of specific conditions in clinical practice, although its exploitation remains relatively limited. In particular, no validated synovial-tissue-derived biomarkers are currently available in the clinic to aid in the diagnosis and management in most frequent forms of chronic inflammatory arthropathies, namely rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the spondyloarthritides (SpA). In this brief review, we will discuss the current spectrum of clinical applications of synovial biopsy in routine rheumatologic care and will provide an analysis of the perspectives for its potential exploitation in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides.

Thalidomide, A Rational Agent for Treatment of Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis

A patient with Multifocal Reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) of skin and joints failed treatment with etanercept, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, prednisone, bisphosphonates and hydroxyzine. Long term treatment with thalidomide led to marked improvement in joint and cutaneous manifestations.

The utility of FDG-PET/CT imaging in the evaluation of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare histiocytic disorder that involves the skin, joints, and visceral organs.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a 67-year-old woman with MRH who presented with a 2-years history of polyarthralgia and skin nodules. Her symptoms were an inflammatory polyarthropathy with punched-out lesions of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of both hands. Doppler ultrasonography of the hands showed large bone erosions with power Doppler signals in the DIP joints. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) demonstrated increased FDG uptake in cutaneous papules surrounding the affected joints, suggesting an inflammatory process. There was no evidence of malignancy. Biopsy samples of skin nodules exhibited dermal infiltration with CD68-positive histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. The patient was diagnosed with MRH and treated with combination therapy comprising a steroid (prednisolone), tacrolimus, methotrexate, and infliximab, which resulted in clinical improvement. Following infliximab treatment, there was a significant decrease in a bone resorption marker (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b: TRACP-5b), suggesting that tumor necrosis factor-α targeting therapy may inhibit osteoclast formation and resorption activity in patients with MRH.

CONCLUSION

MRH is a progressive destructive arthritic condition, and early diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are necessary to improve the outcome. FDG-PET/CT and joint ultrasonography might be noninvasive imaging modalities that could help diagnose MRH.

Tumor necrosis factor antagonists in the treatment of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: Current clinical evidence

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare and debilitating systemic disorder characterized by cutaneous nodules and destructive polyarthritis. Due to its unknown etiology, the treatment of MRH varies with different rates of success, which causes treatment options to be rather independent and empirical. In the present study, a case of a 48‑year‑old woman with a 12‑month history of polyarthralgia and skin nodules was reported. Biopsy samples, which were obtained from her skin eruption exhibited dermal infiltration with histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemical staining indicated positivity for CD68. The patient was diagnosed with MRH and treated with a combination therapy of infliximab, prednisolone and methotrexate. Her symptoms improved markedly within 2 weeks. Following the results of this case study, a systematic review of 17 cases of MRH treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists was performed, and the efficacy of anti‑TNF treatment in MRH was analyzed.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH): case report with review of literature between 1991 and 2014 with in depth analysis of various treatment regimens and outcomes

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis is a rare disease affecting skin and joints primarily and rarely other organs. We present a case report of this disease and an extensive review of the literature. We reviewed the data between 1991 and 2014 and extracted 52 individual cases. Only articles in English were chosen after checking for relevance. The articles were studies and data was extracted into excel spread sheets and later used to compute such variables like frequency, mean and percentage of distribution of various clinical manifestations. The treatments used in these articles were critically analyzed and graded for their relative efficacy for skin and joint manifestations. The grades were 0 = worse, 1 = no benefit/condition remained same, 2 = improvement without resolution, and 3 = resolution. This article also reports the demographic, clinical, laboratory and pathological data from the reviewed articles. Authors attempted to discuss the findings of this review in depth to help manage this condition and proposed a treatment algorithm to help clinicians approach this rare and challenging disease.

Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Rare Case of Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare systemic disease, which commonly manifests as muco-cutaneous papulonodules and inflammatory erosive polyarthropathy. In this research, we report the clinical manifestations and management of a rare case of MRH with destructive arthropathy of bilateral hip joints and arthritis mutilans presenting with characteristic deformities. Disabling hip arthropathy that occurs secondary to MRH can be successfully managed with bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Osteopenia and acetabular bone defects must be anticipated during THA. This case is reported due to its rare occurrence and because little literature has been published regarding THA in such patients.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: a case report of an atypical presentation in a 2-year-old

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare systemic inflammatory granulomatous disease marked by severe and often rapidly progressive polyarticular arthritis and cutaneous papulonodules. Initial clinical diagnosis may be difficult. We describe a 2-year-old girl presenting with pink dermal papules on the forehead, thighs, elbows, knees, and palms of the hands. Based on clinical findings and skin biopsy results, she was initially diagnosed with granuloma annulare. At 5 years of age, she developed arthritis, fatigue, and more widespread skin papules leading to the diagnosis of MRH. To our knowledge, this is the youngest individual with MRH yet described. We outline the timeline and unique features of her case and review the literature pertaining to MRH in children. Although rare, MRH can be permanently debilitating, making prompt diagnosis critical. A standardized approach to investigation and management needs to be developed.

A case of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare non-Langerhans histiocytosis of unknown etiology with a predilection for joint and skin. The characteristic clinical features are papulonodular skin eruptions and inflammatory polyarthritis, sometimes progressive to arthritis mutilans, a severe destructive arthropathy. Although these manifestations can present at the same time, it is more common that one feature precedes the others. Notably, these features are similar to those found in some rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or dermatomyositis, and this can lead to a misdiagnosis, especially during periods where only one feature is present. Herein, we report a female patient with polyarthralgia and subsequent skin eruptions, who was eventually diagnosed with MRH. Her symptoms seemed to resemble those of some rheumatic diseases, but several features such as affected joints and the characteristic shape of the skin lesions did not correspond to that. The histological result of infiltration of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells in the skin ultimately facilitated the correct diagnosis. In this paper, we review MRH briefly and highlight several differential points which enable us to increase the likelihood of correctly diagnosing MRH.

Therapeutic human monoclonal antibodies in inflammatory diseases

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are antibodies of a single antigen specificity produced by identical immune cells, i.e., clones of a common germ cell. They offer unprecedented opportunities to drug development because of their ability to target almost any cell surface or secreted molecule with remarkable efficacy and safety. In this chapter, the application of human mAbs in the treatment of inflammatory diseases is reviewed. We discuss in detail several mAb-based drugs such as anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF), anti-interleukin-1 (anti-IL-1) receptor, anti-IL-6 receptor, anti-α4 integrin subunit, and anti-CD20 agents, all of which have been documented by clinical trials to be efficacious and have been approved for the therapy of several inflammatory and immune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, spondyloarthropathies, juvenile arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and others. These novel drugs can be used either as a monotherapy or in combination with other conventional therapeutic modalities, particularly if the disease under treatment is refractory to therapy using solely conventional techniques. As a large variety of mAb-based agents targeting a plethora of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion and co-stimulatory molecules, receptors, as well as diverse cell types, are presently under investigation, the therapeutic armamentarium of the clinician is expected to greatly broaden in the near future, providing improved patient care for a wide range of devastating diseases of our times.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with extra-mammillary Paget's disease: a case report

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a very rare systemic disease with variable phenotypic presentation and a high rate of misdiagnosis. Here we describe a patient with MRH and extra-mammillary Paget’s disease (EMPD), a diagnosis that has not previously been described in the literature.

Hand surgery for Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis: A new avenue of treatment and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterised by destructive polyarthritis and violaceous skin papules.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

In 2010, a 70-year-old woman with Palindromic Rheumatism was diagnosed with MRH. Within a few months, she developed ankylosis of the small joints of both hands which resulted in severe fixed flexion deformities of the fingers and thumbs. The joint disease failed to respond to medical therapies and the palmar skin of her left hand was becoming increasingly macerated. Therefore, she elected to undergo arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joints to allow hand hygiene.

DISCUSSION

To-date, this is the first report of a surgical intervention for this rare condition and represents a novel avenue of potential therapy. Medical therapies for MRH are usually ineffective in preventing the debilitating small joint disease which often develops and there is on-going research into newer agents and alternative surgical techniques.

CONCLUSION

Once medical therapies are exhausted, clinicians should consider the input of Hand Surgeons in managing the inevitable and mutilating joint disease of this rare condition.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis presenting with papulonodular skin lesions and arthritis mutilans

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis is a rare multisystem disorder of unknown etiology that is characterized by erosive polyarthritis and papulonodular lesions on the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs. We report the case of a 54-year-old female who was misdiagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis and underwent numerous joint replacement surgeries for progressively destructive arthritis in her hands, shoulders, hips, and knees. The patient finally received a diagnosis of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis after histopathological examination of the patient's left knee arthroplasty which revealed a diffuse histiocytic infiltrate, multinucleated giant cells, and finely granulated eosinophilic cytoplasm with a ground-glass appearance.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis and fibroblastic rheumatism

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) and fibroblastic rheumatism (FR) are uncommon disorders with similar joint and skin manifestations. They are usually included among the non-Langerhans histiocytoses, but recent insights drive some criticism. The diagnosis is often challenging and must be confirmed by the histological typical features. If the skin manifestations are missing, the arthritic complaints may be confused with those of other rheumatic disorders. In these cases, only a careful clinical and radiological evaluation leads to the correct diagnosis. The natural course of the diseases may rapidly develop into disabling manifestations, making an aggressive treatment strongly recommendable. There is emerging evidence that anti-tumour necrosis factor-α agents and bisphosphonates are promising drugs for MRH, while a course of methotrexate and steroids seems to be the best option for FR. Finally, the clinician should be aware that in many cases MRH, but not FR, is associated with a large number of systemic manifestations and with malignancy. This eventuality must be accurately ruled out.

Neoplastic/paraneoplastic dermatitis, fasciitis, and panniculitis

The skin changes outlined in this article can be important clues to an underlying malignancy. Paraneoplastic dermatoses are skin disorders associated with an underlying neoplasm and whose course parallels that of the neoplasm. Recognizing these skin presentations leads to early diagnosis and management of the underlying malignancy. Effective treatment of the associated neoplasm often leads to improvement of the cutaneous manifestations and should be the primary focus of each patient's management.

Synovial xanthomatosis: are there clues to mechanisms for this rare disease?

We report a 64-year-old man with arthritis and nodules to describe that this picture can be caused by normo-lipidemic xanthomas. Light and electron microscopy (EM) plus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies were performed for diagnosis and investigation. These showed features typical of xanthomas plus PCR and EM evidence of possible infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae as a pathogenetic mechanism deserving consideration. With such rare diseases, any clues to possible mechanisms seem important to record and thus to encourage future investigations. This uncommon cause of arthritis and nodules had been confused with rheumatoid arthritis by others in this case.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with elevated cytokine serum levels

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is an uncommon non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis of unknown etiology. It is a multisystem disorder characterised by a papulonodular skin eruption, mainly in the extensor surfaces, and destructive polyarthritis. Histologically, either cutaneous lesions or the synovium show a dense dermal infiltrate of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells with an eosinophilic granular material in the cytoplasm. In the immunohistochemical analysis these cells stain positively with monocyte/macrophage markers (CD68 and CD45), as well as with certain cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 1β and interleukin 6). Moreover, recent reports suggest an osteoclastic nature of the infiltrating cells, as they stain strongly with osteoclast tissue lytic markers including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and cathepsin K. We report a case of MRH presenting with clinical features of dermatomyositis. Furthermore, the patient showed elevated cytokine serum levels that lowered after therapy.

Papular xanthomas and erosive arthritis in a 3 year old girl, is this a new MRH variant?

Xanthomatous skin lesions and arthritis in children are not a common association. We present the case of a 3 year old girl who presented with xanthomatous lesions in the periungual region of both hands, around the nares and on her forehead, associated with significant arthritis that was clinically compatible with multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. However, pathology of the xanthomatous lesions was more suggestive of papular xanthoma, a disease that is not associated with arthritis. Based on her presentation and the negative lipid workup, she was treated for presumed multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. Multiple treatment strategies were utilized, with improvement on a combination of infliximab, methotrexate, and prednisone. We review the different diagnoses that should be considered in children with xanthomas and arthritis as well as the different pharmacologic therapies used in children with multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.