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Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the digestive tract identified on an upper gastrointestinal examination

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Abstract

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is rare and typically identified in patients with systemic disease. We describe a 16-month-old girl who initially presented with bilious vomiting, failure to thrive and a rash. An upper gastrointestinal (GI) examination revealed loss of normal mucosal fold pattern and luminal narrowing within the duodenum, prompting endoscopic biopsy. Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the digestive tract was confirmed by histopathology. A skeletal survey and skin biopsy identified other systemic lesions. Although uncommon, it is important to consider LCH in the differential diagnosis for gastrointestinal symptoms of unclear origin, especially when seen with concurrent rash. Findings of gastrointestinal involvement on upper GI examination include loss of normal mucosal fold pattern and luminal narrowing in the few published case reports.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Ronald Jaffe, Department of Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, for confirming the pathological diagnosis.

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Author notes

  1. Markus Zei

    Present address: Department of Radiology, St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA

  2. Catherine Larson-Nath

    Present address: Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 1997, MS 721, Milwaukee, WI, 53211-1997, USA

    Markus Zei, Arthur B. Meyers & Kevin P. Boyd

  2. Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Catherine Larson-Nath

  3. Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Mariko Suchi

Authors
  1. Markus Zei
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  2. Arthur B. Meyers
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  3. Kevin P. Boyd
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  4. Catherine Larson-Nath
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  5. Mariko Suchi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arthur B. Meyers.

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Zei, M., Meyers, A.B., Boyd, K.P. et al. Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the digestive tract identified on an upper gastrointestinal examination. Pediatr Radiol 46, 1341–1344 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-016-3558-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-016-3558-2

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