Disseminated histiocytosis X complicated by diffuse erythrophagocytosis: report of two cases

Two children with the clinical and histopathological features of disseminated histiocytosis X became refractory to chemotherapy and a diffuse erythrophagocytic process developed. No cause of the erythrophagocytosis could be found. Pancytopenia and marked erythrophagocytosis persisted until death ensued. The relationship of this disorder to familial erythrophagocytosis is discussed.