Abstract

Abstract Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the Central Nervous System (CNS) is rare. Isolated involvement of the hypothalamic region is much more extremely rare with only 0.04 to 0.6% of the cases. We report a case of a 33 year-old female who presented with a one-year history of amenorrhea and a five-month history of intermittent headache, memory lapse, and somnolence. The patient was of normal body mass index with normal visual acuity and intact visual fields. Laboratory examinations revealed panhypopituitarism with central diabetes insipidus. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed a large lobulated mass measuring 1.9 x 2.2 x 2 cm in the suprasellar region which extended to the pituitary infundibulum, hypothalamus and retrochiasmatic region, with surrounding edema. The patient underwent right orbitozygomatic craniotomy and subtotal excision of the mass through subfrontal and transsylvian approaches. Histopathological examination of langerhans cells were observed with positive immunohistochemical stain for CD1a and S100 protein antigen markers establishing a diagnosis of CNS LCH. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography scan and bone scan were done postoperatively and showed no evidence of extracranial lesions. The patient had been receiving prednisone and vinblastine based chemotherapy regimen. She remains to be asymptomatic and on close surveillance. To date, there is no standardized treatment strategy for CNS LCH in the adult population. An accurate histopathologic diagnosis and a specialized multidisciplinary team approach especially involving Oncology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and Endocrinology are critical to optimally tailor possible effective treatment options for patients with this similar disease. Long-term follow-up is crucial due to the increased risk of local recurrence and multisystemic involvement.

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