An unusual cause of granulomatous inflammation: eosinophilic abscess in Langerhans cell histiocytosis

J Clin Pathol. 2006 May;59(5):548-9. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2005.029785.

Abstract

Eosinophilic abscess inciting a granulomatous response has rarely been reported and appears not to have been described in the setting of a neoplasm. In this report, a case is described where a granulomatous response occurred around eosinophilic abscesses in a patient with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, an association which has not previously been documented. On histology, the excised lymph node showed the presence of eosinophilic abscess and necrosis surrounded by granulomas, which in turn were surrounded by Langerhans cells, a feature confirmed on immunohistochemistry. Although rare, this case highlights the importance of careful examination of eosinophilic abscess with granulomatous inflammation in order to exclude an underlying neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / immunology*
  • Abscess / pathology
  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eosinophilic Granuloma / complications*
  • Eosinophilic Granuloma / pathology
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / immunology*
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male