Our study confirms improvement of pathogenetic knowledge and treatment over the last 20 years. Age at diagnosis older than or equal to 2 years and standardized treatment are associated with improved prognoses. Multisystemic involvement, especially with "risk" organs seem to be correlated to a worse outcome.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is rare and frequently involves the bone. We retrospectively reviewed the orthopaedic aspects (symptoms, localizations, treatments) and the long-term outcome [disease status, overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS)] of 121 patients (June 1968-December 2009). The main symptom was local pain. The orthopaedic treatment was mainly conservative. The most frequent localization was osseous monofocal (62% of monosystemic diseases). Monosystemic and osseous monofocal localizations, treatment after 1991 (OS, P=0.007; EFS, P=0.03) and age older than 2 years (OS, P=0.003; EFS, P=0.001) were prognostic factors that were positively associated with survival. Oncologic treatment has improved over time, translating into better survival. A biopsy is often mandatory.

A 14-year-old girl was examined for a right lateral neck swelling and radiographic mediastinal widening. Biopsy of a right supraclavicular lymph node demonstrated the nodular sclerosing form of Hodgkin's lymphoma. An 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F18-FDG-PET/CT) study showed several pathological areas of lymph-node uptake in the upper mediastum and right distal tibia. Radiography of the tibia revealed a nonossifying fibroma in the site corresponding to the distal tibial uptake. The PET appearance of benign fibro-osseous lesions may be similar to those of skeletal metastases. Information obtained by the CT component of the PET/CT study and by conventional radiography can be useful in preventing erroneous interpretations of F18-FDG-PET uptake.

Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic reached its peak in Europe in autumn 2009. H1N1 infection can be a serious complication in patients with comorbidity or immunodepression. Here, we report of a boy with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia with a very severe respiratory distress caused by influenza A (H1N1) infection in pulmonary aspergillosis, successfully treated with antifungal therapy, oseltamivir, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.