title: Langerhans cell histiocytosis masquerading as acute appendicitis: Case report and review.
abstract: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare syndrome characterized by unifocal, multifocal unisystem, or disseminated/multi-system disease that commonly involves the bone, skin, lymph nodes, pituitary, or sometimes lung (almost exclusively in smokers) causing a variety of symptoms from rashes and bone lesions to diabetes insipidus or pulmonary infiltrates. We present a previously unreported case of gastrointestinal LCH as well as a novel characteristic lesion affecting the colon of a young woman who presented with signs and symptoms mimicking acute on chronic appendicitis. Immunohistochemical analysis of appendectomy specimen and nodular specimens on colonoscopy demonstrated S-100, CD1a, and langerin reactivity. The patient underwent systemic chemotherapy with cytarabine and demonstrated excellent response to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Mohammad M Karimzada, Daniel DeUgarte, Dennis Y Kim, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, United States.
authors.forename: Mohammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Karimzada
authors.affiliation: Mohammad M Karimzada, Daniel DeUgarte, Dennis Y Kim, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, United States.
authors.forename: Michele N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Mohammad M Karimzada, Daniel DeUgarte, Dennis Y Kim, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, United States.
authors.forename: Samuel W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: Mohammad M Karimzada, Daniel DeUgarte, Dennis Y Kim, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DeUgarte
authors.affiliation: Mohammad M Karimzada, Daniel DeUgarte, Dennis Y Kim, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, United States.
authors.forename: Dennis Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Adult histiocytosis; Appendicitis; Gastrointestinal histiocytosis; Langerhans cell histiocytosis; Right lower quadrant pain