Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Or Miliary Tuberculosis?

Abstract

Πνευμονική ιστιοκυττάρωση Langerhans ή κεγχροειδής φυματίωση; Παρουσίαση περίπτωσης και ανασκόπηση βιβλιογραφίας Περίληψη στο τέλος του άρθρου Pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis or miliary tuberculosis? Case report and literature review Early stage pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (PLCH) can convincingly mimic miliary tuberculosis (TB), clinically, radiologically, functionally and on histopathological examination, and conversely miliary TB may be mistaken for PLCH. The relevant literature emphases mistaking PLCH for TB and vice versa, but does not highlight the possibility of their coexistence. As it is possible for these two entities to present as concomitant disorders in the same patient, a high index of suspicion for TB should be maintained, even when PLCH appears to be the clinically obvious diagnosis, especially when steroid treatment may be used.

Multisystem Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Fatal Outcome in Adult Patient: A Case Report

“…It has been proven that both entities, miliary tuberculosis and pulmonary LCH, can coexist in one patient, and that the existence of one does not exclude the other [4]. Exertional dyspnea, non-productive cough, weight loss, fever, fatigue and anorexia are the most common symptoms of pulmonary LCH, which mimic MT Adult Patient: A Case Report infection [5]. Some studies have confirmed that certain patients with pulmonary LCH and active pulmonary tuberculosis responded very well to treatment using just ATL without the use of corticosteroids [6].…”