Fatal congenital systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma with liver failure

Role of FDG PET/CT in the Evaluation of Therapy Response in Systemic Juvenile Xanthogranuloma

ABSTRACT

Juvenile xanthogranuloma, a rare type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, is mostly seen in childhood and adolescence and generally manifests as widespread skin lesions. It rarely shows systemic involvement. Although the cutaneous form is often self-limited, systemic form is quite aggressive. Here we report the findings of FDG PET/CT scans during the course of cladribine therapy in a 6-year-old girl with systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma.

Neonatal systemic juvenile Xanthogranuloma with Hydrops diagnosed by Purpura skin biopsy: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma is a very rare disease typically presents as skin lesions with yellow papules or nodules and is sometimes fatal. We report a case of congenital neonatal systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma with atypical skin appearance that made the diagnosis difficult.

CASE PRESENTATION

A preterm Japanese female neonate with prenatally diagnosed fetal hydrops in-utero was born with purpuric lesions involving the trunk and face. Since birth, she had hypoxemic respiratory failure, splenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and was transfusion dependent for red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets. Multiple cystic lesions in her liver, part of them with vascular, were detected by ultrasound. A liver biopsy was inconclusive. A skin lesion on her face similar to purpura gradually changed to a firm and solid enlarged non-yellow nodule. Technically, the typical finding on skin biopsy would have been histiocytic infiltration (without Touton Giant cells) and immunohistochemistry results which then would be consistent with a diagnosis of systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma, and chemotherapy improved her general condition.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report shows that skin biopsies are necessary to detect neonatal systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma when there are organ symptoms and skin eruption, even if the skin lesion does not have a typical appearance of yellow papules or nodules.

Dermoscopic Patterns in Juvenile Xanthogranuloma Based on the Histological Classification

Background: Several dermoscopic features of juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) have been previously described in single cases or small case series and need to be further verified in a large sample.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the dermoscopic patterns of JXG in a large case series and the correlations of these with clinical features of different histopathological subtypes of JXG.

Methods: Patients who underwent dermoscopic evaluation and had a histopathological diagnosis of JXG were recruited. Histological findings, including stage and Ki67 proliferative index and the dermoscopic features of each lesion were recorded.

Results: Forty-one patients with JXG were included. The male to female ratio was 1.28: 1 and the median age of onset was 11 months (range: 0–95 months). Fourteen lesions were histologically categorized in the early stage, 17 in the developed stage, and 10 in the late stage. The “setting sun” pattern was observed in 35 lesions (85.4%) and “clouds” of paler yellow areas in 26 lesions (63.4%). The frequency of the “setting sun” pattern was higher in the early and developed stages (30/31) than in the late stage (5/10) (P = 0.002), while that of “clouds” of paler yellow areas was not significantly different between each stage. Branched linear vessels were detected in the early (11/14) and developed stage (6/17), but not in the late stage. The mean Ki67 index of the lesions with linear vessels was 11.8% (range: 2–40%), which was higher than that of lesions without linear vessels (mean index: 5%, range: 1–30%) (P = 0.005). The pigment network and whitish areas were only detected in 6 and 5 lesions in the late stage, respectively. The whitish areas presented either as streak or stellate shape. The pigment network exhibited either in a centric or a peripheral pattern.

Conclusions: The “setting sun” pattern is the characteristic dermoscopic features of JXG in the early and developed stages, while whitish areas and pigment network are the characteristic patterns in the late stage. Linear vessels present as branched patterns and mostly occur in the early stage with a high proliferative index, indicating rapid growth. The whitish areas and pigment network may present in various patterns. Dermoscopy is a useful adjunctive tool in the diagnosis and staging of JXG.

Juvenile xanthogranulomas: Examining single, multiple, and extracutaneous presentations

BACKGROUND

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by yellowish papules in the skin. JXGs most often occur in infancy or early childhood and are typically solitary and asymptomatic, often regressing after several years. While JXGs predominantly occur on the skin, extracutaneous JXGs also exist.

AIMS

In this paper, we review the literature on single, multiple, and visceral JXGs and provide recommendations on monitoring and work-up.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A literature review was conducted with the PubMed database using selective search terms for single, multiple, ocular, and visceral lesions as well as NF1/JMML.

RESULTS / DISCUSSION

JXG is typically a self-limited disorder if lesions are cutaneous and singular. While rare, JXGs may manifest as multiple and extracutaneous lesions. Further screening and referral to specialists may be warranted in these cases based on age and extent of involvement.

CONCLUSION

Our review demonstrates common presentations of single, multiple, and extracutaneous lesions in addition to those that occur with NF1 and JMML. We suggest patients be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a dermatologist and referred to specialists as appropriate.

Therapy Response in a Pediatric Patient With Extracutaneous Juvenile Xanthogranuloma Monitored by FDG PET/CT

Juvenile xanthogranuloma, a rare type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, generally manifests as widespread skin lesions, which is often self-limited. However, when other organs are involved, its outcome can be unfavorable, and there is no clearly defined consensus regarding what is the best imaging modality in monitoring the therapy. We report here findings of a series of FDG PET/CT scans during the course of clofarabine therapy in a 12-year-old girl with extracutaneous juvenile xanthogranuloma.

ALK-positive histiocytosis: an expanded clinicopathologic spectrum and frequent presence of KIF5B-ALK fusion

In 2008, we presented three cases of ALK-positive histiocytosis as a novel systemic histiocytic proliferation of early infancy with hepatosplenomegaly and dramatic hematological disturbances. This series of 10 cases (including the original three cases) describes an expanded clinicopathological spectrum and the molecular findings of this histiocytic proliferation. Six patients had disseminated disease: five presented in early infancy with eventual disease resolution, and the sixth presented at 2 years of age and died of intestinal, bone marrow, and brain involvement. The other four patients had localized disease involving nasal skin, foot, breast, and intracranial cavernous sinus - the first three had no recurrence after surgical resection, while the cavernous sinus lesion showed complete resolution with crizotinib therapy. The lesional histiocytes were very large, with irregularly folded nuclei, fine chromatin, and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, sometimes with emperipolesis. There could be an increase in foamy histiocytes and Touton giant cells with time, resembling juvenile xanthogranuloma. Immunostaining showed that the histiocytes were positive for ALK, histiocytic markers (CD68, CD163) and variably S100, while being negative for CD1a, CD207, and BRAF-V600E. Next-generation sequencing-based anchored multiplex PCR (Archer® FusionPlex®) performed in six cases identified KIF5B-ALK gene fusion in five and COL1A2-ALK fusion in one. There was no correlation of gene fusion type with disease localization or dissemination. The clinicopathological spectrum of ALK-positive histiocytosis is broader than originally described, and this entity is characterized by frequent presence of KIF5B-ALK gene fusion. We recommend that every unusual histiocytic proliferative disorder, especially disseminated lesions, be tested for ALK expression because of the potential efficacy of ALK inhibitor therapy in unresectable or disseminated disease.

The various clinical spectra of juvenile xanthogranuloma: imaging for two case reports and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) belongs to the heterogeneous group of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis and is caused by an accumulation and proliferation of macrophages. In the majority of cases JXG is a disorder of early childhood presenting during the first 2 years of life. The typical presentation is a solitary reddish or yellowish skin papule or nodule with spontaneous regression and no need for treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

Two infants with an atypical presentation of JXG, one with multiple blueberry muffin rash-like skin lesions and the other with severe multi-systemic involvement, are reported. Diagnosis was established by skin biopsy including histological work-up and immunostaining, where markers for macrophages (CD68 and CD163) exhibited significant reactivity.

CONCLUSION

JXG is the most common of the non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The typical presentation is a solitary skin lesion. The purpose of this report is to familiarize paediatricians with an unusual variant of this entity in order to facilitate early diagnosis and raise awareness for possible visceral complications and associated medical conditions.

Infantile systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma case with massive liver infiltration

Infantile systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma (ISJXG) is an uncommon form of juvenile xanthogranuloma, a non-Langerhans cell proliferation of infancy and early childhood. In a small percentage of patients, the visceral involvement—most commonly to the central nervous system, liver, spleen, or lungs—may be associated with severe morbidity, and eventually fatal outcome. Here we describe the clinical and pathological findings of a 28-day-old girl with ISJXG who died with respiratory distress syndrome. She had few cutaneous lesions but massive liver and spleen infiltration; other affected organs were multiple lymph nodes, thoracic parasympathetic nodule, pleura, pancreas, and kidneys. Additional findings were mild pulmonary hypoplasia and bacteremia. Immunohistochemistry on fixed tissues is the standard for diagnosis. Immunophenotype cells express CD14, CD68, CD163, Factor XIIIa, Stabilin-1, and fascin; S100 was positive in less than 20% of the cases; CD1a and langerin were negative. No consistent cytogenetic or molecular genetic defect has been identified. This case demonstrates that the autopsy is a handy tool, because hepatic infiltration, which was not considered clinically, determined a restrictive respiratory impairment. In our opinion, this was the direct cause of death.

Congenital-type juvenile xanthogranuloma: A case series and literature review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Congenital juvenile xanthogranulomas are infrequently described in the medical literature. We report three previously unpublished cases and systematically review the literature to better characterize this variant.

METHODS

We surveyed English-language articles indexed in MEDLINE (1951-March 2017) and EMBASE (1974-March 2017) for cases of congenital-onset juvenile xanthogranulomas confirmed on histopathology. Cases were divided into two categories: cutaneous only or cutaneous with systemic involvement.

RESULTS

We identified 31 cases of congenital juvenile xanthogranulomas involving only the skin and 16 cases with systemic involvement. Congenital juvenile xanthogranulomas involving only the skin were large (> 3 cm), presented with various clinical morphologies, and showed signs of regression by 1 year of age. Atypical clinical presentations included exophytic tumors, infiltrative plaques, agminated plaques, and subcutaneous tumors. Complications included ulceration and anetodermic scarring. Infants with congenital cutaneous juvenile xanthogranulomas who also had systemic involvement typically had multiple cutaneous tumors and hepatic involvement and showed signs of spontaneous regression independent of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The medical literature supports that congenital juvenile xanthogranulomas behave in a fashion similar to that of juvenile xanthogranulomas of infancy or childhood. Congenital cutaneous juvenile xanthogranulomas with or without systemic involvement spontaneously regress. The varied clinical presentations in the skin may lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate examination, and unnecessary treatments. Infants with multiple congenital cutaneous juvenile xanthogranulomas should be evaluated for systemic involvement, with a particular focus on the liver, because 72.2% of these children were found to have hepatic juvenile xanthogranulomas.

Systemic Juvenile Xanthogranuloma Involving the Bone Marrow, Multiple Bones, and the Skin That Developed During Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Remission State

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a rare benign disorder classified as non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. JXG is generally characterized by solitary or multiple cutaneous nodules that resolve spontaneously over a few years. JXG rarely presents as extracutaneous lesions that progress to a symptomatic systemic disorder through multiple organ involvement. We encountered a systemic JXG case involving the bone marrow, multiple bones, and the skin during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. A 16-year-old boy undergoing ALL treatment experienced unexplained prolonged fever and scalp, hip joint, and right knee joint pain for 2 weeks during interim maintenance chemotherapy. Bone marrow pathologic findings revealed no evidence of leukemia relapse but showed diffuse infiltration of histiocytes with several Touton-type giant cells; the stains were positive for CD68 and negative for CD1a and S100 protein. Bone and skin biopsies confirmed the findings. Symptoms have resolved since maintenance chemotherapy, which included vincristine, dexamethasone, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate. Bone marrow involvement of JXG is very rare, occurring only in patients less than 1 year of age; however, this case was reported in an adolescent during ALL treatment.

Intradural Juvenile Xanthogranuloma with Involvement of Multiple Nerve Roots: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a rare, non-Langerhans cell histiocytic disorder that primarily presents as multiple cutaneous lesions in young males. Solitary lesions in the spinal column are an especially rare presentation of this disease, and central nervous system involvement can portend a poor prognosis. We report an unusual case of an adult woman with an unresectable JXG of the lumbar spine. A review of the reported cases of thoracolumbar JXG and the current data regarding diagnosis and treatment are presented.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 28-year-old woman presented with back pain and worsening lower extremity pain, numbness, and weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enhancing lumbar mass. However, at surgery, no discrete mass was identified. Multiple roots were grossly enlarged, and electrical stimulation identified the L4 root with the most abnormal findings. Despite an attempt at debulking, most of the mass could not be safely removed. The patient experienced incomplete improvement of the symptoms postoperatively but elected to forgo chemotherapy. The 3-month follow-up imaging study showed active lumbar spinal disease, and imaging and follow-up examinations at 27 months revealed no changes. Her symptoms were satisfactorily controlled with conservative therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

JXG of the spine is a rare disease with nonspecific clinical and radiographic findings that can make it difficult to diagnose and dictates the use of immunohistochemical staining. If possible, total surgical resection will offer the best outcomes; however, other modalities such as chemotherapy can be viable alternatives or adjuvant modalities.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma: diverse presentations of noncutaneous disease

Juvenile xanthogranulomas (JXGs) are benign cutaneous lesions of childhood that often spontaneously involute. They rarely present as a noncutaneous tumors. However, JXG tumors have been described in numerous noncutaneous anatomic sites, presenting with a variety of symptoms. The severity of symptoms and accurate preoperative diagnosis of JXG should determine operative and nonoperative treatment options of these uncommon, benign, and self-limiting tumors. We report 3 cases of symptomatic, noncutaneous JXG from disparate anatomic sites all treated with aggressive surgical resection.

A rare case of neonatal systemic xanthogranulomatosis with severe hepatic disease and metachronous skin involvement

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a rare benign disorder of unknown pathogenesis, usually a self-limited condition. Extracutaneous systematic involvement is infrequent. We report one of the few documented cases of congenital systemic JXG, presenting with fever, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, pancytopenia, and delayed skin involvement. Liver biopsy established the diagnosis and JXG was not demonstrated in the bone marrow. Rapid deterioration of liver disease and pancytopenia, prompted us to administer immunosuppressive treatment (Langerhans cell histiocytosis-II Protocol). The patient's clinical condition improved and visceral and skin lesions showed gradual involution. The patient is still free of disease 4 years after the initial presentation.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma with hematological dysfunction treated with 2CDA-AraC

Juvenile xanthogranuloma was diagnosed in two infants aged 8 and 2 months with skin lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia. Disease control was not achieved with first-line vinblastine-steroid-VP16 combination therapy. Two courses of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2CDA) (0.3 mg/kg) and cytosine arabinoside (AraC) (1 g/m(2)) were then administered for 5 days and were followed, after hematological recovery, by maintenance therapy. Both patients had normal complete blood cell counts and no signs of JXG, respectively, 31 and 24 months after diagnosis.

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia presenting with features of neonatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and cutaneous juvenile xanthogranulomata and successfully treated with allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplant

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is rarely associated with either hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and when in association with the latter there is usually neurofibromatosis type 1. We report a child who presented with JXG and HLH during the neonatal period and who subsequently developed JMML during early infancy in whom there is no evidence of neurofibromatosis type 1. The patient was refractory to standard HLH therapy but he is well and is now 42 months after mismatched unrelated donor hemopoietic stem cell transplant without evidence of HLH or JMML. His JXG lesions show involution, in keeping with the expected natural history of this disorder.

Systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma with fatal outcome

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a benign and self-limited disease which usually appears in the skin of children. Visceral involvement has been rarely reported, as has fatal outcome in some affected individuals. We report a case of systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma in a female newborn with mainly skin, bone marrow, and liver involvement, leading to death at the age of 2 months.

Severe congenital systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma in monozygotic twins

Juvenile xanthogranuloma, a histiocyte disorder, usually presents with a solitary cutaneous lesion. Juvenile xanthogranuloma with extracutaneous involvement is a rare disease in which significant morbidity and occasional deaths may occur. Monozygotic twins with congenital systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma who presented with multiple skin lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, liver failure, and bone marrow involvement were reported. The diagnosis of systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma was confirmed by histology and immunohistochemical stains of the skin with liver biopsies revealing dense infiltration of lymphohistiocytes with typical Touton giant cells staining positive for CD68 and negative for CD1a and S-100 protein. Both of them received systemic prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day which was gradually tapered off with time according to clinical and investigative responses. At the 17-month follow-up period, both patients showed remarkable regression in all symptoms and laboratory studies.

Aggressive histiocytic disorders that can involve the skin

Histiocytoses are a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by the proliferation and accumulation of reactive or neoplastic histiocytes. Three classes of histiocytoses have been defined: class I, Langerhans cell disease; class II, non-Langerhans cell histiocytic disease without features of malignancy; and class III, malignant histiocytic disorders. Although the disorders in classes I and II usually have a benign appearance on histology and are commonly non-aggressive and self-healing, some can cause debilitating or even fatal outcomes. Such cases beg the question: what stimulates aggressive behavior of a classically benign disease? New molecular information may now provide insight into the driving force behind many of the aggressive histiocytoses. In this article, we review Langerhans cell disease and seven aggressive histiocytoses that can involve skin, discuss histologic features that may forecast a poor prognosis, and discuss the molecular findings that help to explain the pathophysiology of these aggressive histiocytic disorders.

Prolonged severe pancytopenia preceding the cutaneous lesions of juvenile xanthogranuloma

We report a case of juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) having progressive pancytopenia for 6 months until the proliferating skin lesions. A 2-month-old infant presented recurrent fever, anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly mimicking hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). At 8 months of age, the biopsy of a growing papule on the elbow made the diagnosis. Bone marrow (BM) specimens showed clustering foamy cells including hemophagocytosis by histiocytes. Treatment with etoposide followed by vinblastine plus prednisolone (PSL) therapy improved the disease. Although JXG is a benign non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, the multisystem-visceral form should be considered as a potential aggressive disease when associated with BM failure in early infancy.