Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A rare cause of pathological rib fracture

Abstract

Langerhans cell histiocytosis, formerly known as histiocytosis X, represents clonal proliferations of the antigen-presenting dendritic cells, which are normally found in many organs. It is a rare disease which tends to affect children and adolescents. In particular, adult-onset type is very rare. Herein, we present a female adult diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the rib without any systemic involvement which was successfully treated with surgery.

Keywords: Bone lesion; Langerhans cell histiocytosis; chest pain.

Figure 1. Thoracic computed tomography scans showing a focal non-displaced fracture line on right 10^th rib. Arrows indicate coronal and axial planes.

Figure 2. (a) CD1a positivity in tumor cells (x100), (b) Langerin positivity in tumor cells (x100) [Positive stained cells shown with the arrow], (c) Tumor cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm, vesicular nucleus and multinuclear cells (H-E x100), (d) Tumor which destroys bone (H-E x40).