Rosai-Dorfman disease mimicking images of meningiomas: Two case reports and literature review

Case report: A rare case of isolated sigmoid Rosai-Dorfman disease on contrast-enhanced CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an uncommon histiocytic disorder that occurs in nodal and/or extranodal sites. Extranodal RDD exhibits a wide range of clinical and radiological presentations, frequently leading to misdiagnoses. Involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) system is uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of the reported cases. Here we present a case of a 54-year-old male who complained of abdominal distention and was diagnosed with RDD affecting the sigmoid colon, manifesting as a sigmoid mass. The patient had a past medical history of liver transplantation due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HC). This report details the multiphase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET-CT) imaging findings of RDD involving the sigmoid colon without lymphadenopathy, and a review of the relevant literature is provided.

Rosai-Dorfman disease of the cauda equina: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare, nonmalignant histiocytosis. It typically occurs in lymph nodes, skin, and soft tissues, but numerous reports of central nervous system involvement exist in the literature. The peripheral nervous system has rarely been involved. In this study, the authors present a case of RDD isolated to the cauda equina. The presentation, management, surgical technique, and adjunctive treatment strategy are described.

OBSERVATIONS

A 31-year-old female presented with 6 months of progressive left lower-extremity numbness involving the lateral aspect of the foot and weakness of the left toes. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine demonstrated a homogeneously enhancing intradural lesion involving the cauda equina at the L2-3 levels. Histopathology after resection revealed a histiocytic infiltrate, positive for CD68 and S100, and emperipolesis consistent with RDD. No adjuvant therapy was administered, and the patient had full remission at the 1-year follow-up. Only five other cases of intradural RDD lesions of the cauda equina have been reported in the literature.

LESSONS

RDD of the cauda equina is an especially rare and challenging diagnosis that can mimic other dura-based lesions, such as meningiomas. A definitive diagnosis of RDD relies on pathognomonic histopathological and immunohistochemical findings.

Hints to Diagnose Intracranial Rosai-Dorfman Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review of Cases in Saudi Arabia

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) was recognized as a distinct clinical entity by Rosai and Dorfman in 1969. It is a rare histiocytic proliferative disorder that occurs in various locations and occasionally involves the central nervous system. In this article, we aim to describe a case of intracranial RDD and to provide a review of the literature on intracranial RDD in Saudi Arabia. A 37-year-old woman presented with a history of generalized seizures. Physical examination disclosed bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy with no neurological deficit. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated an extra-axial, homogenous, Gadolinium-enhancing, space-occupying lesion with extensive dural involvement. The patient was successfully treated by total surgical resection. Postoperatively, the patient did not receive any adjuvant therapy. Biopsy with immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of intracranial RDD. On follow-up examination, six months later, there was no recurrence of the lesion. A preoperative diagnosis of intracranial RDD is challenging since its MRI appearance can be similar to other intracranial diseases. Herein, we discussed some neuroradiographic findings that might help distinguish RDD from other intracranial diseases.

Comparison of neuroimaging features of histiocytic neoplasms with central nervous system involvement: a retrospective study of 121 adult patients

OBJECTIVES

To compare neuroimaging characteristics of three types of histiocytoses, namely Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), and Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), with central nervous system (CNS) involvement.

METHODS

A total of 121 adult patients with histiocytoses (77 LCH, 37 ECD, and 7 RDD) and CNS involvement were retrospectively included. Histiocytoses were diagnosed based on histopathological findings combined with suggestive clinical and imaging features. Brain and dedicated pituitary MRIs were systematically analyzed for tumorous, vascular, degenerative lesions, sinus, and orbital involvement and for hypothalamic pituitary axis involvement.

RESULTS

Endocrine disorders, including diabetes insipidus and central hypogonadism, were more common in LCH patients than in ECD and RDD patients (p < 0.001). In LCH, tumorous lesions were mostly solitary (85.7%), located in the hypothalamic pituitary region (92.9%), and without peritumoral edema (92.9%), while in ECD and RDD, tumorous lesions were often multiple (ECD: 81.3%, RDD: 85.7%), their distribution was more widespread with meninges mostly involved (ECD: 75%, RDD: 71.4%), and they most likely presented with peritumoral edema (ECD: 50%, RDD: 57.1%; all p ≤ 0.020). Vascular involvement was an exclusive imaging characteristic of ECD (17.2%), which was not observed in LCH or RDD; this was also associated with a higher risk of death (p = 0.013, hazard ratio = 11.09).

CONCLUSION

The typical characteristic of adult CNS-LCH was endocrine disorders with radiological findings limited to the hypothalamic pituitary axis. The pattern of multiple tumorous lesions with predominant involvement of meninges was the main manifestation of CNS-ECD and CNS-RDD, while vascular involvement was pathognomonic for ECD and associated with poor prognosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is the typical imaging characteristic of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Multiple tumorous lesions, predominantly involving but not limited to meninges, occur in most Erdheim-Chester disease and Rosai-Dorfman disease patients. Vascular involvement occurs only in Erdheim-Chester disease patients.

KEY POINTS

• The different distribution patterns of brain tumorous lesions can help differentiate among LCH, ECD, and RDD. • Vascular involvement was an exclusive imaging finding of ECD and was associated with high mortality. • Some cases with atypical imaging manifestations were reported to further expand the knowledge on these diseases.

Neurological Manifestations of Histiocytic Disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Histiocytic disorders, including Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), and Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), are rare neoplasms that may present with a spectrum of neurologic involvement. Diagnostic delay is common due to heterogeneity in presentation and challenging pathology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advances in the treatment of these diseases targeted towards mutations in the MAP kinase pathway have led to an improved prognosis in these patients with neurologic involvement. It is critical for clinicians to have a high index of suspicion to allow for early targeted treatment and optimize neurologic outcomes. A systematic approach to diagnosis is presented in this article to allow for accurate diagnosis of these rare diseases.

Synchronous Mediastinal and Central Nervous System Involvement in Rosai-Dorfman Disease: A Case Report

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare disorder characterized by the proliferation and accumulation of histiocytes, primarily within lymph node sinuses. Uncommonly, other extranodal sites, such as the central nervous system, can also be affected. Here, we document the case of a 61-year-old woman presenting with dizziness, confusion, and headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extra-axial avidly enhancing mass in the left parietal region presumed to be a meningioma based solely on its imaging appearance. The patient underwent surgical resection, and histopathological examination showed enlarged histiocytes positive for S100, CD68, and CD163 and negative for CD1a, consistent with RDD. She was followed up with a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to evaluate other disease activity sites. A single mediastinal node was identified adjacent to the atriocaval junction intensely fluorodeoxyglucose avid. The patient underwent robotic node excision, with pathology analysis compatible with RDD. We emphasize the need to increase recognition of RDD on differential brain lesions, especially meningiomas, and suggest PET/CT as a valid tool to search for other disease activity lesions.

Bifocal Intracanial Rosai-Dorfman Disease Mimicking Lymphoplasmacyte-Rich Meningioma: Diagnostic Pitfalls About a Case Report

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a clonal histiocytic proliferation characterized by large S100 positive histiocytes with variable emperipolesis. Extranodal locations were confirmed with the central nervous system or the meninges involvement in less than 5% of cases, which is marked as a significant differential diagnosis of meningiomas in radiological and intra-operative pathological examination. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry are the keys to definitive diagnosis. We present a case of bifocal Rosai-Dorfman disease in a 26-year-old man, mimicking Lymphoplasmacyte-rich Meningioma. This case allows us to demonstrate the diagnosis pitfalls encountered in this localization.

Rosai–Dorfman disease of the central nervous system: A clinical, radiological, and prognostic study of 12 cases

Background

Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign non-Langerhans cell histiocytic proliferative disease. RDD with central nervous system (CNS) involvement (CNS-RDD) is extremely rare. Its etiology is unclear, and there are no consensus recommendations for its treatment. More studies are needed to elucidate the clinical and radiological manifestations and prognosis of CNS-RDD.

Methods

From January 2012 to June 2022, 12 patients with CNS-RDD (intracranial or spinal) were retrospectively evaluated, including collecting clinical data, imaging data, and pathological findings; summarizing imaging characteristics; and conducting follow-up studies on CND-RDD patient treatment and prognosis.

Results

Twelve CNS-RDD patients (nine male and three female patients, aged 12–67 years) were enrolled in this study. Nine patients represented convex and/or skull base RDD (eight with edema, six with lobulation and/or pseudopodium sign, four with multiple intracranial lesions), two patients had parenchymal RDD, and one patient had spinal cord subdural lesions. Symptoms of patients would vary according to the locations of the lesion, including but not limited to headaches, dizziness, seizures, cranial nerve dysfunction, and visual impairment. The immunohistochemistry of RDD showed positive expression of S100 and CD68 but not CD1a. Total resection (n = 7), subtotal resection (n = 3), partial resection (n = 1), and stereotaxic biopsy (n = 1) were achieved, respectively. A combination of chemotherapy plus steroid therapy was performed on two patients (relapsing case and residual lesion) and showed a remarkable effect.

Conclusion

CNS-RDD, as a rare disease, presents a significant diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Solitary CNS-RDD are easily misdiagnosed as meningioma. However, when the MRI imaging of the disease represents dura-based masses with significant edema, homogeneous enhancement, lobulation, and/or pseudopodium sign, we should consider it might be the CNS-RDD. Surgery is an important and effective therapy for CNS-RDD. Steroids and chemotherapy are safe and effective for the postoperative treatment of relapsing cases or residual lesions.

Differentiation of intracranial Rosai‐Dorfman histiocytosis from meningioma using MR perfusion

Intracranial Rosai‐Dorfman disease may be indistinguishable from meningioma. This distinction is essential, as they are treated very differently. We present two cases where perfusion imaging helped make this distinction, allowing one to be treated successfully without craniotomy. Perfusion imaging may be a powerful adjunct in cases where RDD mimics meningioma.