title: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Bone Presenting as Back Pain: An Unusual Diagnosis for a Common Complaint.
abstract: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease entity characterized by histiocyte infiltration of various organ systems with abroad spectrum of clinical manifestations and prognosis, ranging from benign and self-limiting to lethal. We report a case of a healthy 29-year-old male who presented with upper back pain that was unresponsive to over-the-counter analgesics. The painwas eventually attributed to a single lytic lesion at the posterolateral aspect of his seventh rib, consistent with LCH of the bone. Our patient's symptoms subsided without any surgical intervention apart from a biopsy that was performed for diagnostic purposes. His lytic lesion eventually regressed, and he has remained asymptomatic at follow-up. We provide a brief review of literature on diagnostic approach, guidelines, and treatment modalities for adults diagnosed with LCH of the bone, a rare diagnosis most frequently presenting with a common complaint such as back pain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gkrouzman
authors.forename: René H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Cuadra
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001706:Biopsy; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging