Primary cerebral non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis: MRI and differential diagnosis

We report a young woman with primary cerebral non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the juvenile xanthogranuloma family. The clinical course was complicated by extensive infiltration of cranial nerves and meninges and epi- and intramedullary spinal dissemination. Whereas the cutaneous form of juvenile xanthogranuloma is usually benign and self-limited, central nervous system involvement is associated with high morbidity and mortality and might therefore be considered a separate clinical entity.