Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
* Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a neoplastic proliferation of large specialized dendritic cells (Langerhans cells) admixed with a mixed inflammatory population composed of an abundance of eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. The disease may be present as a single lesion (monostotic) or as a few or multiple lesions involving several bones and may be associated with involvement of other tissues.
* Individuals of any age may be affected, but 80% to 85% of patients are younger than age 30, and 60% are younger than 10 years. There is a male predilection.
* Langerhans cell histiocytosis most commonly involves the femur, the bones of the pelvis, and the mandible. In the long bones, it is most often diaphyseal. In adults, the ribs are the most common site. The monostotic form is much more common (80% of cases) than the polyostotic form.
* Histology is characterized by the presence of proliferating Langerhans cells intermixed with inflammatory cells, such as lymphocytes, neutrophils, plasma cells, and frequently many eosinophils. The morphologic hallmark of this lesion is a large histiocyte with abundant cytoplasm and a longitudinal nuclear groove imparting a “coffee bean” appearance to the nucleus. Despite the previous name eosinophilic granuloma, eosinophils are not an essential component of the lesion.
* The Langerhans cell typically expresses S100 and CD1a. The typical finding on electron microscopy is the cytoplasmic racket-shaped Birbeck granule.