PET/CT findings of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children

Abstract

Objective To summarize the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings of LCH in children, and explore its value in the diagnosis of LCH. Methods PET/CT imaging and clinical data of 13 patients(6 males, 7 females; average age (3.0±2.3) years) with LCH confirmed by histology before treatment from August 2011 to December 2015 in Xin Hua Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results All 13 patients have different degrees of bone destruction with increased metabolism, the common lesion sites were craniofacial bone, spine, limb long bones, ribs/chest/shoulder blade and pelvic bone. Lymph node lesions which manifested lymph node enlargement with increased metabolism were found in 10 cases, and the SUVmax was 4.0±1.3. Diffuse FDG uptake in spleen was found in 10 cases. There were 4 cases with liver lesions, 3 with lung lesions, 1 with high metabolic nodules in muscle, 1 with orbital lesions and 1 with intraspinal high metabolic nodules. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT could display the distribution and activity of LCH, and plays an important role in the diagnosis and systemic evaluation of LCH. Key words: Histiocytosis, Langerhans-cell; Tomography, emission-computed; Tomography, X-ray computed; Deoxyglucose