A Painful Shoulder Revealing Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Abstract

Introduction: Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a systemic proliferative disease. It is a rare disease that can affects all tissues. Evolution can be spontaneously favorable. Multi-organ involvement may be life-threatening. We report the case of an toddler with bone lesion and issues. Case Report: It was a 33-month-old infant with right shoulder pain. Clinically, she had a swelling in the front side of the right shoulder with a limited abduction. X-ray of the right shoulder showed osteolysis with an irregular boundary of the right humeral head. The blood work was normal. In view of the painful swelling of the right shoulder, a biopsy was performed. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Langerhans histiocytosis. A conservative treatment was decided after a multidisciplinary consultation meeting. After six months, spontaneous improvement was noted. Conclusion: Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a proliferative pathology that can affect one or more organs. The clinical presentation is polymorphic according to the affected organ. An extension assessment is fundamental in the management in order to determine the treatment.