Spontaneous regression of orbital Langerhans cell granulomatosis in a three-year-old girl.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of spontaneous regression of orbital Langerhans cell granulomatosis.


METHODS
Case report. A 3-year-old girl was initially examined with a 5-week history of slowly progressive blepharoptosis and periorbital swelling of the left eye.


RESULTS
Computed tomographic scan showed a mass in the left orbit eroding into the left frontal bone; fine-needle aspiration confirmed diagnosis of Langerhans cell granulomatosis. After initial biopsy, the patient was treated by close observation alone. Six months after initial examination, the monostotic lesion had completely resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
In some cases of monostotic Langerhans cell granulomatosis, initial biopsy followed by observation alone may allow for the spontaneous regression of the lesion. This conservative approach to treatment is an important therapeutic option that may spare the patient the adverse effects of surgical resection, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Smith
J H
JH
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0730, USA.
Fulton
L
L
O'Brien
J M
JM
D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed