LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS AND ITS ORAL MANIFESTATIONS: A STUDY OF REVISION

Abstract

Objective: To better understand the clinical pathologic alterations caused by Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the oral cavity, its treatment, and prognosis. Study design: Literature review, consisting of books and articles, searched in the Bireme database; published from 2005-2018, in English and Portuguese languages. Results: The Langerhans cell histiocytosis, previously called Histiocytosis X, is a relatively rare disease. Although it is found in an unlimited age range, more than 50% of all cases are observed in children and young people with predilection for males; it can manifest as localized or multiple bone lesions or as visceral or central nervous system lesions. Clinically, bone and tooth destruction caused by Langerhans cell histiocytosis resembles a severe periodontitis and the extensive alveolar involvement causes the teeth to look like they are floating on air. The definitive diagnostics of this disease are established by the histopathology of the material obtained from biopsy, and its treatment varies according to the extent of the disease. Conclusion: Oral manifestations are common in Langerhans cell histiocytosis and may be among the most precocious signs, so it becomes essential to the surgeon to have thorough knowledge about its features and add include it in the differential diagnostic of lesions affecting the oral cavity.