Table 2

 Differential diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease

DiagnosisAffected organsClinical symptomsPathology
CNS, central nervous system; GIT, gastrointestinal tract.
Erdheim-Chester diseaseBones of lower extremities, CNS, retroperitoneum, lung, heart, liver, spleen, skin, orbitBone pain, fever, weight loss, weakness, exophthalmos, diabetes insipidus,dysuria, abdominal pain, ataxia, paresisMononuclear cells, foamy histiocytes (CD68+, CD1a−, S-100−), lymphocytes, Touton giant cells, fibrosis
NeurosarcoidosisPituitary gland, mostly associated with enlarged hilary lymph nodesDiabetes insipidus, adenopituitary failure, amenorrhoea/galactorrhoea syndromeEpitheloid granulomas with Langhans’ giant cells and lymphocytes
Langerhans’ cell histiocytosisSkin, bones, lymph nodes, ear,gum, lung, GIT, liver, CNSPetechial haemorrhages, erosive and ulcerative lesions, lymphadenopathy,bone pain, fractures, dyspnoea, malabsorption, diabetes insipidusProliferation of Langerhans cells (CD1a+, S-100+), intracytoplasmic Birbeck granules on electron microscopy
HypophysitisAdenohypophysis (rarely neurohypophysis)Headache, diabetes insipidus, amenorrhoea/galactorrhoea syndromeCommon finding: lymphoplasmocytic infiltration with focal or diffuse destruction
    Lymphocytic
    Granulomatous
    Xanthomatous
    Xanthogranulomatous
    Necrotising