Satisfactory remission achieved by PUVA therapy in Langerhans cell hisiocytosis in an elderly patient

• Published in: Journal of dermatology Vol. 23; no. 1; p. 42
• Main Authors: Sakai, H, Ibe, M, Takahashi, H, Matsuo, S, Okamoto, K, Makino, I, Oomori, Y, Iizuka, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-01-1996
• Subjects: Aged; Diabetes Insipidus - complications; Diabetes Insipidus - radiotherapy; Epidermis - pathology; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell - complications; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell - drug therapy; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell - pathology; Humans; Male; PUVA Therapy; Remission Induction; Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous - complications; Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous - drug therapy; Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous - pathology
• ISSN: 0385-2407
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1996.tb03966.x

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is currently regarded as a reactive proliferative process of Langerhans cells rather than a malignancy. The disease is characterized by Langerhans cell infiltration of skin, lung, bone and other organs. We report a 74-year-old man with Langerhans cell histiocytosis who had generalized hemorrhagic and crusted papules. He also had diabetes insipidus. Because he did not have any severe constitutional symptoms or failure of vital organs, we applied topical PUVA treatment to his skin lesions, which responded well to the therapy. Diabetes insipidus, however, remained, in spite of X ray radiotherapy for the pituitary lesion.