CNS involvement of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Report of 23 surgically treated cases.

Abstract

We present 23 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The major complaints were a mass on the cranial vault in fifteen (65%), visual disturbance in four (16%), polyurea-polydipsia in three (13%), and progressive weakness in all extremities in one patient (4%). Neurological examination revealed no abnormality in sixteen patients (70%), cranial nerve palsy, visual field defect and optic atrophy in six (26%) and paraparesis in one (4%). Tumoral mass was found to be located on the cranial vault (65%), in the suprasellar region (21%) and in the spinal column (8%). The cranium and spinal column were both involved in one patient. All patients underwent surgery; craniectomy with grossly total tumor excision plus cranioplasty (65%), craniotomy with subtotal tumor excision (26%), and vertebrectomy with grafting (13%) were performed. The clinical, radiological and histopathological features, as well as therapeutical considerations are discussed and the pertinent literature is reviewed.