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VOLUME 9 , ISSUE 3 ( July-September, 2018 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Isolated Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Thyroid Gland: A Rare Case

Jayalakshmi Venkateswaran, Purnima Lad, Satyakam Sawaimoon, Chitralekha Soman, Simi Bhatia, Premila Samuel

Keywords : Langerhans cells, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Thyroid

Citation Information : Venkateswaran J, Lad P, Sawaimoon S, Soman C, Bhatia S, Samuel P. Isolated Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Thyroid Gland: A Rare Case. Int J Head Neck Surg 2018; 9 (3):110-112.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10001-1348

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-08-2019

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2018; The Author(s).


Abstract

Langerhans cell (LC) histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease predominantly affecting children and young adults, with an annual incidence between 4 and 5.4 per million individuals. Involvement of the thyroid by LCH is very rare, even in a multifocal disease. It can easily be confused on clinical grounds with other more common entities such as undifferentiated carcinoma, lymphoma, lymphocytic thyroiditis, chronic granulomatous thyroiditis, and cystic degeneration of multinodular goiter. Histology remains the most sensitive diagnostic modality. Immunohistochemical studies are extremely helpful in confirming the histologic impression because LCs are positive for S-100 protein and CD1a, and both markers can be used to assess formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Electron microscopy is also helpful by allowing identification of the pathognomonic Birbeck granules but not essential for diagnosis. Single-organ involvement in LCH is associated with excellent survival close to 100%. We report a rare case of isolated thyroid gland involvement by LCH.

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