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Unifocal langerhans cell histiocytosis simulating a limbal papilloma
Mozhgan Rezaei Kanavi1, Fatemeh Javadi, Mohammad-Ali Javadi
1Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
A rare case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in the eye, initially mistaken for a papilloma, is presented. This unifocal LCH recurred after surgical removal, highlighting diagnostic challenges and the importance of histopathology.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare clonal proliferative disorder of myeloid cells.
- Ocular involvement in LCH can manifest in various forms, sometimes mimicking benign or malignant tumors.
- Unifocal presentations of LCH in the ocular adnexa are exceptionally uncommon.
Purpose:
To report a rare presentation of unifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) simulating a limbal papilloma.
Case Report:
A 24-year-old man presented with a limbal mass in his left eye which had initially been suspected to be a papilloma based on clinical findings. The mass was excised and a histopathological diagnosis of "acute bullous inflammation with granulation tissue" was made. The lesion relapsed 10 months later which necessitated repeat resection along with corneoscleral patch grafting. Histopathological studies of the excised lesion led to a final diagnosis of LCH.
Conclusion:
To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of a rare presentation of LCH in the limbus which recurred after excision of the primary mass. The recurrent lesion was diagnosed based on histopathology and managed accordingly.
