Isolated hypothalamic-pituitary langerhans' cell histiocytosis in female adult A case report

Rationale: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by clonal proliferation of immature dendritic cells, mainly affects children. LCH in adult sellar region is extremely rare. In literature, optimal treatments remain unclear and only a few cases of LCH were treated using surgery. Here, we present a rare case of isolated hypothalamic-pituitary LHC in female adult. We focused on elucidating the clinical manifestations and immunohistochemical features of LCH, and exploring the proper treatment in adults. Patient concerns: A 50-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital, presenting with polydipsia and polyuria for over 3 months. Diagnoses: Radiological studies revealed lesions (0.5 x 0.9 x 0.4 cm) on posterior pituitary and enlarged pituitary stalk, which was moderately enhanced on contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of sellar region. In biopsy, pathological examination of Langerhans cells were observed with positive S-100 protein and Ki-67 antigen markers, findings were sufficient to establish a diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) LCH. Interventions: The patient with LCH restricted in the sellar region received both surgery and chemotherapy. Gamma knife radiosurgery was performed after diagnosed as central diabetes insipidus (CDI) induced by pituitary lesion. And tumorectomy was performed 5 years later. However, in the latest MRI in 2017, the nodular shadow became larger (about 1.4 cm), chemotherapy and further systemic therapy were given. Outcomes: At 12-month follow-up, no local reoccurrence was noticed. Lessons: For LCH, though difficult to be diagnosed and none defined standard therapeutic approach to adults, surgery should be considered if there are neurological symptoms or histological diagnosis. The present study showed that some manifestations can be meaningful when central nervous system (CNS) is involved. For complex diseases in the sellar region, multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model of diagnosis and treatment should be helpful for better clinical efficacy.