title: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood, Langerhans cell histiocytosis in adulthood: More than a chance association?
abstract: Described herein, a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in an adult with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) diagnosed at age ten. She presented with cranial diabetes insipidus, later developed hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and multiple cervical lympadenopathy from which histopathology of excisional biopsy confirmed LCH. Magnetic resonance imaging showed thickened pituitary stalk. Association of ITP and LCH is unknown but the question of LCH presenting as isolated thrombocytopenia in childhood only to be discovered in adulthood when there was pituitary and bone involvement remains. It reemphasizes the need for high index of suspicion and the challenges in diagnosing LCH at the outset.
authors.affiliation: Sarawak General Hospital, Department of Medicine, 93586 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. kychien2006@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kuan
authors.affiliation: Putrajaya Hospital, Department of Medicine, Endocrine Unit, Malaysia.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Nurain
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult