Radiological features of thymic langerhans cell histiocytosis

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013 Nov;60(11):E143-5. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24640. Epub 2013 Jun 29.

Abstract

TI was reported in 18/1,264 (1.4%) LCH patients. All nine patients with TI at initial LCH presentation were below 2 years of age and had multisystem LCH (9/242, 4%). Images (sonography, CT, MRI) for central review were available in 15 cases. Characteristic findings of TI were thymus enlargement (67%), few to many cysts (80%), and few to many calcifications (100%). Sonographic and MRI findings were in excellent agreement. We recommend adding sonography of the thymus to the standard for initial clinical evaluation of LCH patients below the age of 2 years.

Keywords: histiocytosis X; imaging; sonography; thymus.

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Thyroid Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography