Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving the thyroid and parathyroid glands

Mod Pathol. 2001 Feb;14(2):111-5. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.3880266.

Abstract

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare illness, and the disease afflicting the thyroid gland is very uncommon, even in the presence of multisystem involvement. In this report, we document histologically, for the first time, concurrent involvement of the thyroid and parathyroid glands by LCH. A young Chinese woman with a history of diabetes insipidus and hypogonadism underwent a total thyroidectomy for enlarged thyroid gland secondary to LCH causing airway obstruction. Microscopic examination of the excised specimen disclosed CD1a- and S-100-positive LCH cells involving the thyroid and parathyroid glands. In a patient with LCH affecting the thyroid gland, parathyroid gland disease should be suspected when the serum calcium levels are depressed in association with an inappropriate serum parathyroid hormone level, such as a normal parathyroid hormone level in this case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD1 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Insipidus / complications
  • Diabetes Insipidus / pathology
  • Female
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / complications
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / metabolism
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / pathology*
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / complications
  • Hypogonadism / pathology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Parathyroid Diseases / complications
  • Parathyroid Diseases / pathology*
  • Parathyroid Diseases / surgery
  • Parathyroid Glands / metabolism
  • Parathyroid Glands / pathology*
  • Parathyroid Glands / surgery
  • S100 Proteins / metabolism
  • Thyroid Diseases / complications
  • Thyroid Diseases / pathology*
  • Thyroid Diseases / surgery
  • Thyroid Gland / metabolism
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology*
  • Thyroid Gland / surgery

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • CD1a antigen
  • S100 Proteins