Benign cephalic histiocytosis: a case report

Abstract

Histiocytic skin disorders are usually classified as either Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) or non LCH, based on the pathology. Benign cephalic histiocytosis (BCH) is a rare type of non-Langerhans histiocytitic disorder and is characterized by self-healing multiple small eruptions of yellow to red-brown papules on the face and upper trunk. Histologic features of this disorder show dermal proliferation of histiocytes that have intracytoplasmic comma-shaped bodies, coated vesicles and desmosome-like structures. In this study, we report on a 7-month-old boy who contained small yellow-red papules on his face that spread to his upper trunk. The clinical and histologic features in this patient were consistent with BCH.

Keywords: Benign cephalic histiocytosis; Generalized eruptive histiocytoma; Infant; Juvenile xanthogranuloma; Non-Langerhans-Cell.

Fig. 1

Small yellow-red papules scattered on the face, forehead and chin.

Fig. 2

Discrete small yellow-red papules seen on the upper back.

Fig. 3

Proliferations of pleomorphic epitheliod histiocytic cells within the upper- and mid-dermis (H&E, original magnification ×100).

Fig. 4

Immunohistochemistry was positive stained for CD68 (biotin-streptavidin peroxidase system, DAB, original magnification ×200).