Cerebral localization of Rosai-Dorfman disease in a child. Case report

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare idiopathic histiocytic disorder that only occasionally involves the central nervous system (CNS). Previous cases of RDD involving the CNS were generally seen in adults. Pediatric cases of RDD are rare, and the disease in these cases typically has an indolent clinical course. In this report, the authors describe a pediatric case of intracranial RDD with rapid clinical and radiological progression. A previously healthy 13-year-old girl presented with a 15-day history of progressive left-sided headaches, vomiting, and fever. On examination she was pyrexial but otherwise normal. Neuroimaging results demonstrated an extraaxial left frontal lesion with peripheral enhancement. A bur hole was drilled over the lesion to obtain a tissue sample and de-bulk the lesion. The initial histological results showed a nonspecific inflammatory lesion. Postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic, and neuroimaging results confirmed a significant reduction in the size of the lesion. Repeated neuroimaging 3 months later, however, revealed a large recurrence of the lesion, which was removed macroscopically by a craniotomy. Histological analysis of the tissue confirmed the RDD diagnosis. At the latest follow-up (12 months) the patient had remained asymptomatic with no evidence of recurrence on neuroimaging. This is the first reported case of intracranial RDD with an aggressive clinical course.