Diffuse xanthogranulomatous dermatitis and systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis

A novel case that demonstrates bridging between non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Satter, Elizabeth K. MD, MPH
Gendernalik, Sarah B. DO
Galeckas, Kenneth J. MD

^aDepartment of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California
^bDepartment of Pathology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California
^cDepartment of Medicine, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California

Correspondence to: Elizabeth K. Satter, MD, MPH, Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34520 Bob Wilson Dr, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92134-2300. E-mail: [email protected].

Funding sources: None.

Conflicts of interest: None declared.

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the US Government.

Reprints not available from the authors.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 60(5):p 841-848, May 2009.

The advent of electron microscopy and immunohistochemical stains allowed for reclassification of the histiocytoses based on the predominant cell in the infiltrate. Although the current schema simplicity provides a good foundation, some patients display overlapping clinical and immunohistochemical features that defy classification. The patient herein illustrates bridging between histiocytic disorders. Through this case we review the various conditions classified under the non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Langerhans cell histiocytosis rubric.