Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with bilateral temporal bone involvement

Case report: Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone in children: Challenging diagnosis of a rare disease with some pitfalls

A 4‐year‐old girl was admitted to hospital with disturbance of balance. After being questioned, parents remembered an otitis with effusion 3 months earlier. CT‐scans revealed destruction of both temporal bones. Initial biopsy showed granulomatous, necrotic inflammation, which led to comprehensive differential diagnoses. A second tissue sample confirmed Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Temporal Bone Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: An Uncommon Bilateral Presentation

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition that presents clinically in various ways. The cause and subsequent development of LCH are idiopathic and not fully understood. This disease is mainly seen in childhood. It is rare to have bilateral temporal bone LCH as the initial presentation. LCH can affect many organs. However, the bilateral involvement of the temporal bone is very uncommon. Therefore, we believe documenting cases of this presentation can lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology and prevalence of the disease, which can contribute to its management planning.

A one-year-old boy was referred to a tertiary otolaryngology clinic with bilateral postauricular swelling, hearing loss, but no tenderness or ear discharge. During the patient evaluation, a CT scan was requested to further investigate the bilateral swelling, which showed bilateral bony destructive lesions in the temporal bone area. Next, the patient was scheduled for a biopsy of this lesion under general anesthesia. A biopsy of the right mastoid confirmed the diagnosis of LCH. The patient was started on LCH IV protocol for multifocal bone lesions (MFB) with special site induction. A follow-up fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (FDG PET/CT) was performed on the whole body with the impression of mild interval improvement of the temporal bones’ masses bilaterally with stable bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy.

LCH is a rare pathology that requires comprehensive effort from various medical and surgical teams to reach the right diagnoses and start the patient on the best available treatment plan.

The influence of clinical features mimicking primary immunodeficiency diseases (mPID) on children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) - Four with mPID among 39 LCH children from one referral center during 18-year period

BACKGROUND

Recurrent or refractory infections can be a warning sign of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). Such mimicking PID (mPID) can occur in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Because some cases with refractory molluscum contagiosum-like lesions and persistent otorrhea are finally diagnosed with LCH, we wondered whether such mPID can occur in LCH children and affect on their prognosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all children with LCH at our institute from 2001 to 2018. A complete medical review of sex, age, symptoms, treatment course, and outcome comparison was performed.

RESULTS

Of 39 enrolled LCH patients, three had persistent otorrhea and one had refractory molluscum contagiosum-like lesions despite aggressive antibiotic therapy. These four cases with mPID had significantly higher rates of multi-system involvement, recurrence and 5-month more lag time, but no risk organ (liver, spleen and bone marrow) involvement compared to those without mPID, although bone and skin were the most involved in both groups. Overall, the lag-time in multi-system was longer than that in single-system involvement (median 2.5 vs. 1.0 months; p = 0.003). The diagnosis-age of risk organ involvement was younger than those without (median 8 vs. 43 months; p = 0.004). There were no significant differences in diagnosis-age, single/multi-system and risk organ involvement between remission and recurrence groups. All were alive excluding four who were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The LCH children with mPID had greater lag time, multi-system involvement, recurrence and more refractory treatment including transplantation despite the ratio of bone and skin lesions equal to those without mPID.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of Bilateral Mastoid Cavity

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease, which may involve various organ systems; therefore, it has multiple clinical manifestations.

CASE REPORT

We present the case of a 56-year-old woman admitted to Amerikan Hospital Ear-Nose and Throat outpatient clinic with a complaint of progressive hearing loss in both ears, which had started 10 years ago. She was treated with corticosteroids for 10 years until last year, 2017. Surgical exploration was performed and histologic evaluation revealed LCH.

CONCLUSIONS

LCH has clinical manifestations depending on the site of infiltration. In adults, isolated bilateral mastoid infiltration, as an initial symptom, is a very rare condition. With corticosteroid uptake, the period of initial symptom was 10 years in our patient, which is, as per our knowledge, the longest reported in literature. This infiltration may mimic acute or chronic infections of the ear. Therefore, LCH should be considered in the differential diagnose of patients who present with bilateral mastoid cavity disease.

Concurrent Mastoid Cellulitis and Langerhans Cells Histiocytosis: A Challenging Diagnosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare proliferative disorder, which commonly arises in the bone and may involve other systems. To date, the diagnosis of temporal bone LCH remains a challenge as it may masquerade as a common ear infection. We report a case of a child who presented to us with persistent bilateral ear discharge for four months and was not responding to treatment. Her condition subsequently worsened, with clinical features and radiological findings suggestive of mastoid cellulitis. Nevertheless, further histopathology study revealed LCH.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone: A case report

Langerhansmporal histiocytosis (LCH) refers to a group of diseases that are characterized by the primary pathogenesis of an abnormal polyclonal proliferation of Langerhans cells that affect different structures of the human body, including the temporal bone. Thus far, the etiology of LCH remains unclear. Diagnosis of LCH is based on a synthetic analysis of the clinical presentations, as well as on features of imaging and histopathology. The clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of LCH remain obscure, and temporal LCH is often confused with ear inflammatory lesions and malignant tumors. There are several therapeutic modalities for temporal bone LCH that include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroidal injections. The present study reports the case of an infant presenting a 1-month history of worsening left facial paralysis and a slowly enlarging post auricular mass followed by a 1-month history of postauricular swelling in the left ear. Computed tomography demonstrated a large mass of organized tissue. Moreover, the diagnosis of LCH was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. The patient also suffered from multiple organ failure, including the liver, kidney, lymphatic system, skin, hematopoietic system and lungs. Following surgical intervention with mastoidotympanectomy, the parents of the patient refused further chemotherapy, and the patient succumbed to the disease ~6 months later.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the temporal fossa: A case report

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, varying from an isolated lesion to systemic involvement. The etiology of this disease remains to be elucidated. The present study reports a case of LCH with temporal fossa localization in an 8-year-old male patient, who had exhibited left temporal pain and headache for 1 month. Physical examination revealed slight exophthalmos and conjunctival hemorrhage in the patient's left eye, and non-contrast computed tomography imaging of the head revealed a soft tissue mass with unclear margins located in the left temporal fossa, as well as a wide bony defect. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneously contrast-enhanced mass near the left temporal pole, which eroded into the patient's left orbit and maxillary sinus. The lesion was totally excised and confirmed to be LCH through biopsy.

A Case Report: The Diagnosis and Therapeutic Evaluation for a Rare Disease of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Involving Thyroid

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) involving the thyroid gland is extremely rare. Currently, the diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation for LCH involving thyroid is a challenge.We reported a rare case of LCH involving thyroid, presenting as painless thyroid goiters, and successfully performed positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to make an accurate diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation for LCH.Although the histology or cytology is the golden standard for the diagnosis of LCH involving thyroid, the PET/CT should be keep in mind when LCH involving thyroid with inconclusive cytologic results. During the treatment of LCH, PET/CT can be performed to assess the therapeutic effect and select the most effective and reliable treatment for LCH.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Temporal Bone with Otic Capsule Involvement

INTRODUCTION

This study is conducted to demonstrate that destructive lesions of the otic capsule by Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) causing both radiographic and audiologic findings can be completely reversed with adequate treatment. Retrospective case review and analysis of clinical and imaging data were obtained as part of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with LCH of the temporal bone.

METHODS

With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, cases of LCH involving the temporal bone were searched for within the institutional databases. Criteria for inclusion was histologic diagnosis of LCH and pretreatment computed tomography (CT) demonstrating temporal bone and/or otic capsule involvement and posttreatment follow-up CT/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans obtained at least 6 months after starting treatment.

RESULTS

We report eight cases of LCH of the temporal bone with three demonstrating otic capsule involvement radiographically and/or clinically. Review of posttreatment imaging revealed all three patients had complete restoration of the bony labyrinthine architecture and near or complete restoration of their hearing.

CONCLUSIONS

Though LCH of the temporal bone is a common site within the spectrum of the disease, involvement of the otic capsule remains rare. Here, we report the largest series of otic capsule involvement by LCH and investigate whether both architecture and hearing are recovered with appropriate treatment. Lastly, restoration of the bony architecture of the labyrinth suggests the mechanism of LCH is demineralization and not ablative.

A rare disorder mimics otitis media: Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone in a child with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease ranging from a benign to a rapidly fatal condition affecting young children predominantly, and is characterized by an abnormal clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells. We report a case of a 3-year-old child presenting with a 1-year history of otorrhea and otorrhagia followed by a 6-month history of postauricular swelling in the right ear. Imaging demonstrated a large mass of organized tissue. A biopsy was conducted, and the diagnosis of LCH was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. The child was treated with a 12-month course of vinblastine chemotherapy with prednisolone. No clinical evidence of recurrence was noticed after 3 years of follow-up. This rare case highlights the importance for otolaryngologists to keep LCH in mind for differential diagnosis in very young patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of acute mastoiditis or chronic otitis media.

Incidence of non-infectious ‘acute mastoiditis’ in children

Objective:

The temporal bone may be the first involved site in cases of systemic disease, and may even present with acute, mastoiditis-like symptomatology. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of such non-infectious ‘acute mastoiditis’ in children.

Materials and methods:

Retrospective chart review of 73 children admitted to a tertiary referral centre for acute mastoiditis.

Results:

In 71 cases (97.3 per cent), an infectious basis was identified. In the majority of cases (33 of 73; 45 per cent), the responsible bacteria was Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, histopathological studies revealed a non-infectious underlying disease (myelocytic leukaemia or Langerhans' cell histiocytosis) in two atypical cases (2.7 per cent).

Conclusion:

‘Acute mastoiditis’ of non-infectious aetiology is a rare but real threat for children, and a challenging diagnosis for otologists. A non-infectious basis should be suspected in every atypical, persistent or recurrent case of acute mastoiditis.

Prognostic indicators for sensorineural hearing loss in temporal bone histiocytosis

OBJECTIVE

Our review aims: (1) to highlight the suspicion of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in temporal bone Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH); (2) to assess the evolution of SNHL in this pathology; (3) to identify radiologic findings of the otic capsule invasion by LCH; (4) to determine prognostic factors for SNHL in temporal bone LCH.

METHODS

We performed a literature review through MEDLINE for SNHL in temporal bone LCH related articles that were published between 1954 and 2008. We identified 12 related studies of which 18 patients were noted. We also added our case to this series. The information from the reports was analyzed to characterize the clinical and demographic data and to focus on the sensorineural hearing aspect of the disease and on the damage of the semicircular canals (SCC) and the cochlea.

RESULTS

Ten percent of patients with temporal bone LCH presented SNHL. The mean age of patients is 3.5 years among children and 35.5 years among adults. Male to female ratio is 1:1.14. There were 13 unilateral cases, 6 bilateral cases and 1 case of multisystemic histiocytosis. Cochlea and SSCs were involved in 4 and 20 temporal bones, respectively. The lateral SCC is the most frequently eroded canal. In 23 ears hearing level was reported: 15 ears had a SNHL and the remaining was a mixed or a conductive hearing loss type. 10 ears suffered from a profound hearing loss and none of them improved after treatment regardless otic capsule affected structures. In all cases of normal hearing, moderate hearing loss and severe hearing loss before treatment cochlea have not been affected. However a single or two semicircular canals invasions have been noted. Where it is reported (15 out of 25 temporal bone) there was a radiological healing of the otic capsule lesion after treatment. Remineralization occurs 6 months after treatment.

CONCLUSION

In LCH, hearing loss level before treatment can be considered as a prognostic indicator for hearing in response to treatment. Even though bone mineralization is essential for a hearing improvement, radiological healing is not a prognostic factor for better hearing level after treatment.

[Early start eosinophilic granuloma of the temporal bone]

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a disease of unknown aetiology which may be isolated or affect multiple organs and which frequently affects the head and neck, with cranial compromise being one of the most common manifestations in children over five years. We present the case of a three year old girl with no otologic history who came to our hospital with a clinic of subperiostic abscess, subsequently diagnosed as eosinophilic granuloma. We describe the treatment and clinical evolution of the case.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone in children

OBJECTIVE

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare pathology that implies an abnormal proliferation of these kinds of cells associated with a granular infiltration that affects different structures of the human body, including the temporal bone. The authors present their series of LCH of the temporal bone in children at the Sainte-Justine university hospital. The twofold objective of this study is to illustrate the clinical presentation, management and prognosis of this disease, and to compare these results with previously reported series.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted between 1984 and 2007 with patients diagnosed and treated for a LCH of the temporal bone at the Sainte-Justine university hospital, a paediatric tertiary care center. A chart review was performed to obtain demographic, clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic data. They were analysed and compared to other published series. Through a MEDLINE query, we found that since 1966, 50 articles dealing with a LCH of the temporal bone have been published.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine cases of LCH were diagnosed and among them, 10 children had temporal bone involvement. They were four females and six males with a mean age of 3.28 years. The two most frequent clinical manifestations were the presence of a mass in the temporal region (70%) and otitis (60%). Two of our patients had a unifocal lesion of the temporal bone implicated. Eight patients had a multisystem involvement among which, two showed evidence of organ dysfunction. In 80% of cases, the diagnosis was made by immunohistochemical findings of the S-100 protein and/or the CD1 antigen. The common radiological finding on a skull CT scan is a lytic lesion in the temporal bone. Seven patients were treated by chemotherapy, two were treated by radiotherapy as a primary treatment, and one received radiotherapy for a recurrence on the pituitary gland. Finally, one patient was treated with local steroid injections. Two patients had a recurrence. All our patients were in total remission on a mean average of 1.6 years after the diagnosis. Our results concord with other studies in which the prognosis of unifocal bone disease is excellent and children with a multifocal disease have a survival rate of 65-100%.

CONCLUSION

LCH is a rare disease. A high-index suspicion should be raised in the context of a temporal mass, chronic otitis, and otorrhea. A biopsy is recommended in the presence of a temporal bone lytic lesion. Chemotherapy is the preferred therapeutic modality.

Petrous Bone Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Treated with Radiosurgery

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease that may show as a solitary or multifocal lesion of bone, soft tissue or viscera. Involvement of the temporal bone has been described in 15-61% of patients with LCH, usually in association with multisystemic involvement. We report the case of a 30-year-old man presenting with vertigo and fluctuating hearing loss caused by monosystemic LCH of the left petrous bone. The patient was treated with radiosurgery (covering dose 10 Gy at 85% isodose, maximum dose 11.76 Gy). Two years after treatment, no evidence of recurrent disease was found in the CT scan or MRI. We discuss the treatment of temporal bone LCH, traditionally based on surgery, low-dose radiation therapy and intralesional steroids. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of LCH of the petrous bone successfully treated with radiosurgery. This approach may be interesting in cases of LCH located on nonaccessible areas of the temporal bone.