Langerhans cell histiocytosis of long bones: MR imaging and complete follow up study

Abstract

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a relatively rare disease affecting the reticuloendothelial system in the pediatric age group. It can affect bones, lung, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and skin. MR imaging is particularly informative in diagnosis and management of bone LCH. In this report, we present the initial and 23 months post-treatment MR images of a femoral LCH lesion in a 12-year-old child to describe the role of MRI in bone LCH.

The application of x-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging on 22 pediatric Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients with long bone involvement

“…In the case of lesion sites, femurs, tibia, humerus, and radius were the most frequently affected anatomic sites, which was slightly different from the previous report. [ 22 ] Bone destruction could be cystic or osteolytic. Occasionally, an expanded cortical shell developed as the lesion grew and destroyed the native bones.…”

Insufficiency of Bone Scintigraphy in Vertebral Lesions of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Compared to F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Diagnostic Computed Tomography

“…MRI has been also introduced as a suitable method for delineating the bone marrow extent and soft tissue involvement in LCH of the bone. Additionally MRI have found be superior in not only locating more skeletal lesions but also extraskeletal lesions ( 4 , 13 ).…”

“…Although CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are effective methods in the identification of the bone lesions located at skull, vertebra and pelvis ( 2 ), F-18 FDG PET/CT might show all the dissemination of disease as a whole body imaging method and provides more clear demonstration of soft tissue involvement like in lymph node, lung or spleen ( 3 ). Additionally MRI is particularly helpful for not only characterizing the lesions but also delineation of the local and systemic extent of the disease and follow-up of the patient ( 4 ). Our case report presents a patient with disseminated disease with multiple vertebral lesions shown by FDG PET/CT and diagnostic CT which were not observed in the bone scintigraphy.…”

Localized Langerhans cell histiocytosis masquerading as Brodie’s abscess in a 2-year-old child: a case report

“…Localized Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the bone is a relatively rare, primary disease of childhood characterized by clonal proliferation of histiocytic cells and variable biologic behavior (Hashmi et al, 2012[ 7 ]). The skull is the most frequently involved bone in localized osteolytic LCH, followed by the axial skeleton and long bones (Azouz et al, 2005[ 2 ]).…”