[Minimal invasive therapy of localized Langerhans-cell histiocytosis of bone]

Scaglietti introduced a method of steroid injection for the management of unicameral bone cysts in 1974. Subsequently the intralesional infiltration of corticosteriods has also been recommended as a primary therapy for localized Langerhanscell histiocytosis (LCH). We report our experience with the administration of methylprednisolone acetate in children and young adults localized LCH.

[corrected] Nine patients with localized LCH, aged 2 3/12 to 29 years, were treated with a single--in only one case two--intralesional injection of methylprednisolone acetate as a crystalline suspension. The dose was between 40 and 150 mg depending on the size of the radiolucent defect. We treated 4 lesions in the skull, 3 in the femur, 1 in the distal humerus and 1 in the mandibula. In each case the diagnosis was established by biopsy. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 8 8/12 years (4 years 4 months on average).

7 out of 9 patients with localized LCH had excellent results with complete healing of the lesion. In 2 patients there was no response to the initial injection therapy and dissemination of the disease occurred. In 4 patients with an additional soft tissue tumor, after injection therapy of the bone lesion, the soft tissue tumor resolved without further treatment.

Intralesional infiltration of methylprednisolone acetate as a primary therapy for localized Langerhans cell histiocytosis leads to rapid relief of pain, restoration of bone morphology and reduction of associated soft tissue tumors. Performed with appropriate skill under sterile condition with the reported high percentage of effectiveness and low recurrence rate, this low invasive method is the treatment of choice, resulting in a lower morbidity and lower costs.