Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Adult Cervical Spine: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

A 36-year-old man was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the cervical spine with a unifocal expansive osteolytic lesion of C4. The surgical management with a 2-year follow-up and a review of the literature on LCH of the cervical spine are presented. Although a rare condition, LCH is an important differential diagnosis of any osteolytic lesion in the cervical spine with localized pain in a young adult patient. Review of the literature suggests a higher prevalence of LCH lesions affecting the cervical spine as compared with the thoracic or lumbar spine than historically reported.

PET/CT Imaging for Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Involving Only Posterior Elements of the Cervical Vertebra

“…High FDG uptake has been observed in LCH occurring in various sites 4–6 . LCH involving the vertebral posterior elements often manifested as multifocal or involved the anterior simultaneously 7–13 . Our case presented that the LCH was located atypically in the posterior column with a completely intact anterior vertebral body.…”

“…[4][5][6] LCH involving the vertebral posterior elements often manifested as multifocal or involved the anterior simultaneously. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Our case presented that the LCH was located atypically in the posterior column with a completely intact anterior vertebral body. Tumor or tumor-like lesions involving only the posterior elements of vertebra have osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma in children.…”