Magnetic resonance imaging of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma with pericranial soft tissue reaction--case report

A case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the skull in which preoperative methionine positron emission tomography was useful in comprehending the spreading of the lesion

BACKGROUND

The problem with treatments against skull lesions of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is that invasions often reach the bones and dura mater, making it difficult to accurately comprehend the range thereof prior to surgery. We herein report that (11)C-methionine positron emission tomography (PET) (Met-PET) carried out prior to surgery was useful in comprehending the spreading of the lesion.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 20-year-old female presented with swelling and dull pain on the left side of the head. A slightly heterogeneously reinforced tumor was observed inside the bone defect in the gadolinium-enhanced T1-wighted image upon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the dura mater contacting the tumor was observed with an enhancing effect. Accumulation was poor in the center of the tumor upon Met-PET, and accumulation with a well-defined border was observed in the border thereof as well as the area adjacent to the brain. Surgical resection was performed; the pathological diagnosis was LCH. An invasion of tumor cells was observed in the dura mater with accumulation observed according to Met-PET. Moreover, the accumulation of tumor cells was observed in the area observed with accumulation inside the bone; however, the center part with poor accumulation lacked tumor cells, with fibrous tissue accounting for most parts.

CONCLUSION

Met-PET was believed to be helpful in comprehending the spreading of the tumor in the surroundings of the brain surface for skull lesions.

Unifocal Granuloma of Femur due to Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

The radiological diagnosis of osteolytic lesions of the long bones in pediatric population constitutes a challenge when the case history and clinical data are uncharacteristic. We believe that the description of few clinically and histologically proven cases to verify the existence of radiological signs useful for diagnosis may be of interest. Here, we describe a case of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) presenting as unifocal eosinophilic granuloma of femur along with a brief review of the literature.

Spontaneous Resolution of Eosinophilic Granuloma in a Patient with a Psychotic Disorder

A 16-year-old female who manifested psychotic symptoms underwent CT and MRI for the evaluation of an incidentally discovered asymptomatic palpable mass of the right occipital region of the skull. The correlation between clinical and radiological data and biopsy data led to the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma. The radiological finding is discussed and reviewed in relation to clinical aspects and literature data.

[Surgical management of solitary eosinophilic granuloma of the calvaria. Two case reports]

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a systemic disease resulting from the oligoclonal proliferation of Langerhans cells, occurring most commonly in children and young adults. The focal form of the disease, also known as eosinophilic granuloma, most frequently involves the calvaria. We present two cases of calvarial eosinophilic granulomas that were surgically removed. These tumors are reputed to have an excellent prognosis, even if local recurrences and systemic dissemination can occur during the follow-up. The authors discuss the pathogenesis and the evolutive profile but also the therapeutic management of solitary eosinophilic granuloma of the calvaria.

Cranial unifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children

PURPOSE

The present study presents 22 cases of pediatric patients harboring an eosinophilic granuloma (EG) of the skull.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients (13 males, 9 females; mean age, 7.5 years; range, 3-14 years) with a suspected diagnosis of a cranial EG were enrolled in the study. They all had been preoperatively evaluated by skull x-ray and computed tomography, whereas 10 patients additionally underwent magnetic resonance imaging. To rule out a multifocal disease, scintigraphy was performed in all cases preoperatively. Surgical excision of the lesions was performed, and EG was proven histopathologically.

RESULTS

There was a male predominance. Frontal bone was the most common affected bone. One patient had a multifocal disease. Total excision of the lesion was performed in 19 of 22 patients. No patient received postoperative radiotherapy. In the remaining 3 cases because of the periorbital localization of the EG and the subsequent risk of disfigurement, only a biopsy was performed. These patients were treated with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim for 6 months. All 3 lesions were resolved. The follow-up examinations ranged from 6 months to 17 years, with a mean follow-up of 6.2 years, and no tumor recurrence was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that EG is a benign disease. At the time of diagnosis, a bone scan should be performed to rule out a multifocal disease. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Nevertheless, for lesions in which excision can cause cosmetic defects, administration of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim after biopsy appeared to be an effective alternative treatment.

A case of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma with rapid expansion and wide skull invasion: immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67

A 15-year-old male visited our neurological service with progressive occipitalgia. Computed tomography showed an osteolytic lesion at the occipital cranium, which grew rapidly during a month. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the lesion as low intensity on T1- and high intensity on T2-weighted images. The mass was soft and successfully removed with surrounding cranium. Histological examination revealed an eosinophilic granuloma with wide skull invasion. Immunohistochemical analysis on the specimen disclosed Ki-67 expression with labeling index of 6.2%. Relatively high proliferative activity in the present case indicates that the local replication of Langerhans' cells as well as inflammatory response contributes to the expansion of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma. This is the first report demonstrating the result of Ki-67 expression on calvarial eosinophilic granuloma.