title: Spontaneous remission of eosinophilic granuloma of the maxilla after incisional biopsy: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infrequent disease that congregates a wide spectrum of clinical presentations with variable systemic involvement. Unification of these diseases under only one category is based on the almost identical histopathologic features of the lesions, but the etiology and proper approach for each presentation remains controversial. The localized alternative of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LLCH), known as Eosinophilic Granuloma (EG) of bone, is the predominant clinical presentation of LCH. The maxilla is involved in 1 % of the head and neck region cases, representing an uncommon condition in this area.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this clinical case report, it is described a case of a 16-year-old male patient with an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion at first upper left molar apical level, a finding detected on control radiographic images was reported as "Monostotic Eosinophilic granuloma of the maxillary bone", which was later confirmed through an incisional biopsy. A surgical excision was initially planned, but finally it was not performed due to a spontaneous healing of the lesion after the incisional biopsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented case supports a conservative approach in the management of solitary EG of maxillary and mandibular bone lesions and even supports an expectant attitude in the course of treatment given the possibility of a spontaneous regression after the biopsy, especially in small lesions.
authors.affiliation: DDS. Associated Professor of the Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. avargasi@uc.cl.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.affiliation: DDS. Associated Professor of the Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Hernán
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Hematology Department, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Resident of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foncea
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathologist at the University of Talca and Carlos Van Buren Hospital of Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Venegas
authors.affiliation: Observer of the Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Astorga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000072700:Conservative Treatment / Q000379:methods; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods*; D035583:Rare Diseases; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous
keywords: Eosinophilic Granuloma; Langerhans cell histiocytosis; Maxillary bone