Pericardial Effusion in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Case Report

Abstract

IntroductionLangerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a proliferative disorder of histiocytes in multiple organs. Langerhans cell histiocytosis involves bones, skin, lung and other organs.Case PresentationThis study describes a seven-month-old Iranian girl who presented with skin rash and cervical lymphadenopathy. Langerhans cell histiocytosis was suspected when it was associated with anemia, splenomegaly and lytic bone lesions. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. During hospitalization, the patient looked ill with respiratory distress. A chest X-ray showed a ground glass view, and echocardiography showed moderate pericardial effusion.ConclusionsPericardial effusion was a rare finding in this case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Pericardial effusion in Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which is an unusual presentation, should be considered when the patient experiences respiratory distress.

Diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on cytological examination of cerebrospinal fluid: Report of the first case

“…The Langerhans cell, in effusions, can be different from its usual appearance: it can show more nuclear irregularities and a rough chromatin pattern, sometimes with giant nucleoli 3 . The pericardial fluid can also very rarely be involved by LCH 9,10 …”

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Involving the Thymus and Heart With Simultaneous Thymoma: A Case Report

“…There are no available data for the prevalence of cardiac involvement of LCH. Four case reports have shown the infiltration of the septum ( 10 ) and pericardium ( 11 – 13 ) by LCH. In our case, the hypermetabolic lesions in the right atrial appendage and left proximal femur demonstrated by 18 F-FDG PET/CT were considered neoplastic changes.…”

Multisystem Langerhans cell histiocystosis in a geriatric patient: case report

“…[15][16][17] This condition is also recognized for favoring the accumulation of fluids in virtual spaces causing pleural and pericardial effusion, and ascites. 18 As is known, its manifestations are very broad but, to identify that it is a multisystem invasion, the most outstanding symptoms are constitutional, accompanied by manifestations of the affected region in question, which in global terms is suspected when cutaneous erythema, dyspnea, polydipsia, polyuria, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, unintentional weight loss, fever, ataxia and alterations in memory. Some studies suggest that diabetes insipidus is listed as the initial manifestation.…”