Langerhans cell histiocytosis: an identity crisis

Endonasal Endoscopic Removal of a Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis from Far Lateral Frontal Sinus

Introduction: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease in adults, and it is even uncommon in pediatric populations, affecting only 1-2 people per million. A LCH located in the frontal sinus is exceptionally unusual. We present a case of LCH located in the far lateral of the frontal sinus and discuss management as well as surgical techniques to control this far lateral frontal sinus lesion. Case Presentation: A 39 year old female, presented with a history of progressive headaches and purulent nasal discharge for three months. Computed tomography (CT) of the sinuses showed an approximately 15 × 10 mm soft tissue with osteolytic bony changes located in lateral wall of the frontal sinus on the left side. Total tumor removal was achieved by minimally invasive endonasal endoscopic surgery with a periorbital suspension technique. Histopathologic analysis revealed LCH and the patient was referred to a hematologist for further treatment. Conclusion: LCH is a rare hematological pathology. It should be diagnosed timely and treated with a multidisciplinary approach. To get a definitive diagnosis a biopsy is mandatory. Having LCH in the far lateral frontal sinus can be challenging for a biopsy even for experienced surgeons. Using curved instruments while performing an endonasal periorbital suspension technique makes it possible to access the lateral wall of the frontal sinus safely and provides an effective surgical route similar to traditional open approaches without causing any external scars.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the orbit and frontal sinus of the adult woman: A first case report in Poland

Background:

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a term describing a clonal proliferation of pathologic Langerhans cells (histiocytes), which may manifest as unisystem (unifocal or multifocal) or multisystem disease. LCH is a rare cause of the orbital tumor with the predilection to its lateral wall which is particularly common in children.

Case Description:

We report an unusual case of a 33-year-old woman, 6 months after childbirth, who presented with the edema of the right orbit and upper eyelid with headaches. On physical examination, the patient had a right superior and lateral swelling of the eyelid and the orbit and right enophthalmos, without blurred vision. Magnetic resonance imaging showed well-defined, expansile, intensely homogeneously enhancing mass lesion in the right superolateral orbital rim with the destruction of the upper wall of the orbit, growing into the frontal sinus and frontal part of the cranium with the bold of the dura mater in this region. Radical excision of the tumor was achieved through a right fronto-temporo-orbito-zygomatic craniotomy. Histopathological examination had confirmed the diagnosis of the LCH. The patient was discharged home with a modified Rankin Scale score of 0.

Conclusion:

The main purpose of this case report is that LCH should be considered as one of the possible causes of quickly appearing tumor of the orbit in adults.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the orbit: five clinicopathologic cases and review of the literature

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a proliferation of Langerhans cells intermixed with inflammatory cells, in particular eosinophils, that may manifest as unisystem (unifocal or multifocal) or multisystem disease. Orbital involvement typically manifests as a solitary lesion that carries a favorable prognosis. We describe the clinical and histologic spectrum of LCH of the orbit in our five cases. One patient exhibited multifocal unisystem disease; the other four had a localized process. Typical histologic features included numerous histiocytes with varying degrees of giant cell formation and scattered eosinophilic granulocytes. The presence of Langerhans cells was confirmed by CD1a and S100 immunohistochemistry. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated characteristic intracytoplasmic Birbeck granules. We review the different ophthalmic manifestations of LCH and treatment strategies. As LCH may solely involve the orbit, treatment is based on the degree of organ involvement. LCH should included in the differential diagnosis in tumors of the ocular adnexae, especially in young children.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis

The clinical manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis have been recognized for more than a century. For most of that time, physicians have viewed the disease from different perspectives, interpreting portions of its clinical spectrum as if they were distinct and unrelated entities. More recently, Langerhans cell histiocytosis has been unified into a single concept, though the disease continues to defy traditional classification. By most accounts, Langerhans cell histiocytosis appears to be a morphologically benign proliferation of inflammatory cells that escapes regulatory control mechanisms. Studies from patients with all stages of the disease, however, document clonal proliferation of immune processing cells (i.e., Langerhans cells), suggesting a malignant disease process. The most common ophthalmic manifestation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a solitary lesion of orbital bone, which typically responds to minimally invasive therapy. The best management of solitary orbital Langerhans cell histiocytosis is debatable and has been complicated by its recent designation as a risk factor for central nervous system disease. This article summarizes recent developments in understanding the biology of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, reviews its ophthalmic manifestations, prognosis, and the controversy surrounding treatment of isolated orbital disease.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the orbit: a need for interdisciplinary dialogue

PURPOSE

To explore specialty-related perceptions and treatment strategies in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the orbit.

DESIGN

A perspective.

METHODS

We reviewed the reported ophthalmic experience with unifocal LCH of the orbit, analyzed current oncologic clinical trial protocols, and provided a brief summary of contemporary knowledge and theory of LCH pathogenesis.

RESULTS

Ophthalmic literature indicates that unifocal LCH of the orbit is usually responsive to local intervention. Current international oncologic protocols identify orbital LCH as a "central nervous system-risk" lesion (at risk for delayed-onset diabetes insipidus) and mandate a 6-month course of chemotherapy. Analysis suggests that the latter strategy is based on cases of orbital involvement in multifocal and multisystem disease. The pathologic Langerhans cell continues to define and unite the LCH variants, but cytokine activation of that cell may be an earlier pathogenetic determinant. Despite a common cellular mediator, LCH may be a heterogeneous process, with severity related to varied "upstream" trigger events.

CONCLUSION

Treatment perspectives in LCH are influenced by dissimilar patient encounters and varied interpretations of the basic disease process. Pending documentation of linkage between unifocal orbital LCH and diabetes insipidus, we recommend local intervention, with systemic treatment reserved for incomplete response or local reactivation or the appearance of lesions elsewhere. LCH underscores the need for close interaction between specialists with intersecting clinical interests.

Eosinophilic Granuloma of the Orbit: Understanding the Paradox of Aggressive Destruction Responsive to Minimal Intervention

PURPOSE

To describe the findings and outcomes in eosinophilic granuloma (unifocal Langerhans-cell histiocytosis [LCH]) of the orbit and to explain the paradox of aggressive bone destruction responsive to minimal intervention.

METHODS

Retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series of patients treated from 1985 to 2001. Minimum inclusion criteria were demonstration of CD1a positivity or Birbeck granules, treatment by a single surgeon, systemic evaluation by a pediatric oncologist, and follow-up of 12 months. A pathogenetic construct was assembled from general LCH concepts and the specific orbital findings.

RESULTS

Seven patients met study criteria. All were male, 2 to 16 years of age. All had eyelid or forehead swelling and osteolytic defects, with symptoms of 2 to 6 weeks' duration. All underwent incisional biopsy, with frozen-section examination suggestive of LCH in 6 of 7 cases. The 2 earliest patients received low-dose irradiation after simple biopsy. The 5 most recent patients had subtotal curettage at the time of biopsy; 4 of 5 received simultaneous intralesional corticosteroid injection. In all cases, systemic evaluation showed no other focus of LCH, reossification was timely, and no local recurrence or additional focus was noted in follow-up of 1 to 17 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Transient immune dysfunction may provoke the cytokine-mediated proliferation of pathologic Langerhans cells within the hematopoietic marrow of the anterolateral frontal bone. These cells cause osteolysis through elaboration of interleukin-1 and prostaglandin E2. Corticosteroids can inhibit the mediators. We recommend incisional biopsy, frozen-section provisional diagnosis, subtotal curettage, intralesional corticosteroid instillation, postoperative systemic evaluation, and long-term surveillance.