[Interest in thalidomide in cutaneo-mucous and hypothalamo-hypophyseal involvement of Langerhans cell histiocytosis].
BACKGROUND
Histiocytosis X or Langerhans cell granuloma is a rare disease characterised by the proliferation of phagocytes which have normal cell markers.


METHODS
We report the case of a 44-year old woman with hypothalamo-hypophyseal Langerhans cell histiocytosis with genital and oral cutaneo-mucous involvements. After several non-active treatments, thalidomide began. Oral and genital lesions healed quickly. Recurrence of symptoms was observed six months after the treatment was stopped and a complete remission was obtained when thalidomide was reintroduced. The regression of hypothalam-hypophyseal granuloma infiltration was confirmed by MRI and the treatment was well tolerated by the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Cutaneo-mucous Langerhans cell disease as well as hypothalamo-hypophyseal histiocytosis may both benefit from a treatment with thalidomide.
Claudon
A
A
Service pharmacie, centre hospitalier de Haguenau, 64, avenue du Professeur-Leriche, 67504 Haguenau, France. anne.claudon@ch-haguenau.fr
Dietemann
J L
JL
Hamman De Compte
A
A
Hassler
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide