title: [Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pulmonary histiocytosis].
abstract: Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) encompasses a group of disorders with variable clinical features and prognosis that share in common the infiltration of involved tissues by numerous Langerhans' cell (LC), often organized in granulomas. In adults, pulmonary involvement with LCH is observed predominantly in young cigarette smokers. Lung involvement is usually an isolated or a predominant manifestation, and is characterized by LC granulomas entered on distal bronchioles. HRCT has proved to be very useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary LCT, showing in typical asess the association of nodules, cavitary nodules and cystic lesions with both thick and thin walls. The definite diagnosis of pulmonary LCT generally requires lung biopsy. The pathogenesis of pulmonary LCH is not well understood.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Pneumoftiziologie Leon Daniello Cluj-Napoca. doina_adina@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Doina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Todea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone