Benign regressing histiocytosis of the liver

Abstract

A case of benign regressing histiocytosis of the liver is reported. The patient, an adult male, presented with fever and diarrhoea and on abdominal echography multiple nodules were present in the liver. Histologically and immunohistochemically the lesions had features of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. The nodules regressed within four months, without therapy, and the patient is free of disease 29 months after presentation.

Adult Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Independently Relapsing Lung and Liver Lesions That was Successfully Treated with Etoposide

“…Liver involvement in adult LCH is relatively rare (6)(7)(8). Nagai et al reported 1 case of adult LCH with liver involvement (8) and reviewed 5 previously reported adult cases (9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Interestingly, in their case, radiographic findings of both the lungs and the liver displayed marked improvements after smoking cessation; the case was described as "PLCH with liver involvement".…”

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: report of a single organ involvement in a child

“…Microscopic examination of liver in LCH generally showed two forms. 1) Langerhans cells directly infiltrated the liver forming small granulomatous foci or larger nodular aggregates in the portal areas, while in other cases they formed tumor-like masses of histiocytes [6,7,9,10] .The overall histologic appearance in most of the cases, especially in the advanced stage of the disease, was reminiscent of sclerosing cholangitis [2,7,15].…”

“…Hepatic involvement in a disseminated disease is less uncommon, although the rate of involvement is much lower than in most other organs [1,6,11]. The macroscopic appearance of the hepatic lesions in LCH as reported in the literature varies from single to multiple small to large, subcapsular or deeply located nodules, some authors reported solid tumorlike or occasionally multicystic masses [2,9,10].…”

pontaneous regression of intrahepatic lesions mimicking metastatic disease

“…The benign lesions mentioned above only rarely show spontaneous regression and have distinct histological and radiological features that are not in line with the findings in our case. Interestingly, Foschini et al [10] reported a case of benign histiocytosis of the liver, showing spontaneous regression within 4 months. Abdominal ultrasound and fine needle-biopsy showed multiple intrahepatic nodules containing Langerhans cells.…”