Related Experiment Videos

May 2002: 38-year-old man and 69-year-old woman with dural based masses

Monika A Wrzolek1, David Zagzag

  • 1Staten Island University Hospital, USA.

Insights

Destombes-Rosai-Dorfman Disease (DRDD) can mimic meningiomas in the brain, presenting with symptoms like seizures and headaches. Early diagnosis and complete resection lead to good long-term outcomes for patients with this rare inflammatory condition.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pathology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Destombes-Rosai-Dorfman Disease (DRDD) is a rare, non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes.
  • Intracranial involvement, particularly in the dura mater, is uncommon but can present as extra-axial masses.
  • Distinguishing DRDD from more common dural tumors like meningiomas is crucial for appropriate management.

Observation:

  • Two patients, a 38-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman, presented with neurological symptoms suggestive of intracranial masses.
  • Both patients were found to have contrast-enhancing extra-axial masses initially suspected to be meningiomas.
  • Post-surgical histopathological examination revealed inflammatory lesions with characteristic histiocytic cells.

Findings:

  • Microscopic analysis identified plasma cells, lymphocytes, and large histiocytic cells exhibiting emperipolesis.
  • Immunohistochemistry showed these histiocytic cells were CD1a negative but positive for CD68 and S100.
  • The final diagnosis for both cases was Destombes-Rosai-Dorfman Disease (DRDD).

Implications:

  • This study highlights the importance of considering DRDD in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory dural masses, even when they mimic meningiomas.
  • Complete surgical resection of DRDD masses appears to be an effective treatment, leading to favorable long-term outcomes.
  • Accurate histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation is essential for differentiating DRDD from other dural pathologies.

Related Concept Videos