Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a child: a 10-year follow-up

Revealing a rare inflammatory oral manifestation in a 6-year-old child

A 6-year-old child with an episodic history of ulcerations over buccal mucosa was found to have severe inflammation on the palatal aspect of permanent first molars with grade 2 mobility bilaterally. Radiographical features were suggestive of bone loss around permanent molars extending to the distal aspect of the deciduous first molars. The clinical and radiographical findings were indicative of periodontal degeneration without any apparent cause visible intraorally. Further biopsy was done from the rashes present on the malar prominences, which showed nodular aggregates of atypical cells in superficial dermis. These large histiocytic cells with vesicular nuclei and nuclear grooves were immunopositive for CD1a and S100, concluding the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. For treatment, patient was referred to Department of Haemato-oncology and chemotherapy was suggested as per protocol.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Current concepts in dentistry and case report

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), which is a rare granulomatous pediatric disease of unknown etiology, is characterized by the idiopathic proliferation and accumulation of abnormal and clonal Langerhans cells or their marrow precursors, resulting in localized, solitary or multiple destructive lesions. These lesions are most commonly eosinophilic granuloma, which are found in craniofacial bone structures such as the skull and mandible, skin and other organs. In children, the disease has a variable initial presentation, and the clinical course, prognosis and survival are unpredictable. The aims of this report were to present an LCH case in a girl aged 2 years, 8 months and her clinicopathological features, to describe the bucodental management provided, and to discuss special dental considerations of this disease.

Key words:Children, dental management, histiocytosis, Langerhans cells.

Isolated Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Bone Lesion in Pediatric Patients: Systematic Review and Treatment Algorithm

OBJECTIVE

The present study reviewed all cases reported of isolated Langerhans cell histiocytosis bone lesions in the head and neck of pediatric patients. The objective was to create a treatment algorithm to facilitate the diagnosis and management of these lesions.

DATA SOURCES

Eligible articles were identified through a comprehensive search of the following electronic databases: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library.

REVIEW METHODS

Two authors independently reviewed the titles and abstracts retrieved by the electronic search concordant with the criteria for study eligibility. The lists of articles from each author were jointly reviewed and a common list created. All relevant articles were reviewed in hard copies and as full texts to justify inclusion.

RESULTS

A total of 201 patients (67% male, mean age: 8.1 ± 4.3 years) were included from 45 studies. Clinical presentations included swelling (64%), pain (9%), or both (18%). The skull (61%) and the orbit (24%) were the most common location for isolated bone lesions in the head and neck. The most frequently documented management option was resection, followed by observation, chemotherapy, and intralesional steroid injection.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to its rarity and variability in presentation and severity, treatment of these lesions has yet to be standardized. Based on the review, a diagnosis and treatment algorithm was created for head and neck surgeons when encountering these types of lesions.

Oral Langerhans cell histiocytosis in Malaysian children: a 40-year experience

BACKGROUND

Oral Langerhans cell histiocytosis is generally seen in children.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinicopathological features of oral LCH in Malaysian paediatric patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out to determine the clinicopathological features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Letterer-Siwe disease, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, eosinophilic granuloma, and histiocytosis X occurring in the oral cavity in children, diagnosed histologically in the main oral histopathology laboratory in Malaysia from 1967 to 2007.

RESULT

There were 17 cases (eight girls and nine boys) with age ranging from 1 to 7 years. There were ten Malays, four Chinese, two Indians, and one of other ethnicity. Thirteen cases presented as gingival swellings with six of these cases accompanied with mobility of the teeth. Nine cases involved the mandible, two in the maxilla, and two cases in both the maxilla and mandible. The radiographic findings were mentioned only in nine cases with presence of bony erosion or destruction of the jaw bones. Four cases had punched-out radiolucencies of the skull. The patients also had other systemic signs and symptoms: skin lesions (n = 5), hepatosplenomegaly (n = 2), prolonged fever (n = 2), diabetes insipidus (n = 1), and exophthalmos (n = 1). Two cases were known cases of systemic LCH.

CONCLUSION

The histopathologic features of LCH are easily recognized; however, with the development of immunostaining, the use of CD1a helps in confirming the diagnosis.