Case Report
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2016.
World J Radiol. Aug 28, 2016; 8(8): 757-763
Published online Aug 28, 2016. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v8.i8.757
Table 1 Summary of Erdheim-Chester disease
AgeMiddle aged and elderly patients predominantly affected
SiteAny tissue or organ can be affected and clinical manifestations depend upon the organ of involvement. Bone is most frequently affected (> 90%), however, at least one soft tissue component is seen in more than 50% of patients
PathophysiologyShows polyclonal proliferation of histiocytes associated with abnormal Th1 immune response. The recent studies however have suggested a clonal origin by demonstrating BRAFV600E mutations in more than 50% cases
Diagnostic criteria (Radiologic)Bilateral, symmetric cortical osteosclerosis of the diaphyseal and metaphyseal regions of the long bones
Symmetric bilateral abnormally intense Tc labelling of the distal ends of the long bones
(Histopathologic)Characteristic “coated aorta” or “hairy kidneys” on CT scan; Xanthogranulomatosis or polymorphic granuloma with foamy/lipid laden histiocytes with immunoreactivity to CD68, but negative for CD1a and Langerin
TreatmentIFN-α and pegylated IFN-α are preferred for the treatment
Anakinra (recombinant IL1R antagonist) and infliximab (anti-TNF-α antibody) may be used for second-line treatment
Vemurafenib (an inhibitor of BRAF) especially for the patients with severe and refractory BRAFV600E histiocytoses
Follow-up (with PET-CT)Useful for assessing extent of involvement both skeletal and extraskeletal components, activity and progression of disease, and monitoring of therapy