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Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as a thyroid gland mass.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Elliott, DD; Sellin, R; Egger, J-F; Medeiros, LJ
Published in: Ann Diagn Pathol
October 2005

We report 2 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) presenting as a thyroid mass. The first case is a 45-year-old woman with a 13-year history of diabetes insipidus who presented with an enlarging thyroid mass with substernal extension. The second case is a 29-year-old man who presented with an enlarging thyroid mass and skin lesions. Histologic evaluation of the thyroid gland in both cases revealed extensive involvement by LCH, confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis showing Langerhans cells that were positive for CD1a and S-100 protein. Langerhans cell histiocytosis can rarely involve the thyroid gland in adults, and we have identified 30 cases reported in literature. Most patients had evidence of LCH involving other anatomic sites, as was true in these 2 cases, and the diagnosis was initially established by examination of other sites in a subset of patients. Affected patients frequently have diabetes insipidus, as was true in case 1. Thyroid gland involvement as the initial presentation of LCH is a rare phenomenon that can result in misdiagnosis.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Ann Diagn Pathol

DOI

ISSN

1092-9134

Publication Date

October 2005

Volume

9

Issue

5

Start / End Page

267 / 274

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Thyroid Diseases
  • Pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Humans
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell
  • Female
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diabetes Insipidus
 

Citation

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Elliott, D. D., Sellin, R., Egger, J.-F., & Medeiros, L. J. (2005). Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as a thyroid gland mass. Ann Diagn Pathol, 9(5), 267–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2005.05.002
Elliott, Danielle D., Rena Sellin, Jean-Francois Egger, and L Jeffrey Medeiros. “Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as a thyroid gland mass.Ann Diagn Pathol 9, no. 5 (October 2005): 267–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2005.05.002.
Elliott DD, Sellin R, Egger J-F, Medeiros LJ. Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as a thyroid gland mass. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2005 Oct;9(5):267–74.
Elliott, Danielle D., et al. “Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as a thyroid gland mass.Ann Diagn Pathol, vol. 9, no. 5, Oct. 2005, pp. 267–74. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2005.05.002.
Elliott DD, Sellin R, Egger J-F, Medeiros LJ. Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as a thyroid gland mass. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2005 Oct;9(5):267–274.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ann Diagn Pathol

DOI

ISSN

1092-9134

Publication Date

October 2005

Volume

9

Issue

5

Start / End Page

267 / 274

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Thyroid Diseases
  • Pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Humans
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell
  • Female
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diabetes Insipidus