title: Adult-onset Langerhans cell histiocytosis associated with severe abscesses.
abstract: We describe the case of an elderly lady who presented with a severe crusting skin eruption, mainly affecting the flexural areas and trunk. A diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis was confirmed by electron microscopy, and her condition was eventually controlled with systemic prednisolone and short courses of etoposide. An unusual feature of this case was the development of severe pyogenic abscesses, particularly involving the cervical region. No underlying immunological defect has been found to explain this.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nottingham University Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mendelsohn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nash
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D011511:Proteus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification