title: Langerhans cell histiocytosis as differential diagnosis of a mediastinal tumor.
abstract: We describe the case of a 55-year-old man who presented with parasternal swelling. The chest CT scan showed a large tumor of the chest wall infiltrating the subcutaneous tissue. To assume histologic diagnosis an open biopsy was performed. Between the myofibrils a coarse, white tumor with infiltrative growth was noted. Histopathologic examination revealed expanded atrophic skeletal muscle that was infiltrated by histiocytic cells. Numerous eosinophilic granulocytes and lymphocytes CD20 and CD3 positive could be detected and immunohistochemical staining was also positive for S-100 proteins and CD1a. Histologic findings were characteristic of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). To the best of our knowledge a LCH originating from the mediastinum in an adult as presented has not been previously described.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fahrner
authors.forename: Beatrix
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoksch
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gugger
authors.forename: Ralph Alexander
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schmid
mesh_terms: D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000032:analysis; D001284:Atrophy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D018949:Antigens, CD1; C419393:CD1a antigen; D009418:S100 Proteins