Adult Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Osseous Involvement: understanding this rare mimic of malignancy

Authors

Samantha A. Smith MS III, Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Adam M. Franks MD, Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
William Rollyson MS IV, Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Doreen Griswold, Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Tammy Bannister MD, Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow

Author Credentials

Samantha A. Smith, MD Adam M. Franks, MD William Rollyson, MD Doreen Griswold, MD Tammy Bannister, MD

Author ORCID Identifier

Adam M. Franks, MD (ORCID# 0000-0002-3710-6138)

Keywords

Pulmonary, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, Osseous, Tobacco Abuse

Disciplines

Immune System Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences | Oncology | Orthopedics | Pulmonology | Respiratory Tract Diseases

Abstract

Langerhans cells are dendritic cells that form the antigenic barrier of the human body. They occur in nearly any tissue but are most prevalent in the skin, submucosa of the bronchial tree, and other mucosae. Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) develops when these cells damage the tissues in which they reside through a combination of inflammatory and monoclonal stimulation. The pulmonary variant of LCH involves the lung parenchyma and creates a wide variety of disturbances: pulmonary hypertension and both obstructive and restrictive lung disease. Osseous involvement, in addition to the pulmonary variant, presents with pulmonary masses and lytic bone lesions, which sparks suspicion for malignancy. Early recognition of this rare pathology is important as early treatment is clinically beneficial. The following explores a case of adult Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with osseous involvement.

Recommended Citation

Smith SA, Franks AM, Rollyson W, Griswold D, Bannister T. Adult Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Osseous Involvement: understanding this rare mimic of malignancy. Marshall J Med. 2022; 8(1) DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2379-9536.1276.