Unifocal Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of Frontal Bone in a Child

Hong, Seong Jae; Cho, Sang Hun; Eo, Su Rak

Abstract

Lateral eyebrow mass with primary skull lesion are rare in pediatric population. Although epidermoid cyst and dermoid cyst are the most commonly encountered skull lesions in pediatric population, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is rarely reported. We report a case of LCH arising from the lateral eyebrow with osteolytic lesion involving the frontal bone. A 5-year-old boy was presented with a hard, fixed mass in his lateral eyebrow. Contrast magnetic resonance imaging revealed inhomogeneous enhancement of the mass with direct invasion of the frontal bone and adjacent dura mater. Under general anesthesia, linear incision at the lateral eyebrow region was made. Intraoperative evaluation revealed hard, fixed and well-defined soft tissue mass. The final extirpated mass was 2.5 x 2.4 cm in size, and was accompanied by a 1 x 1 cm sized defect on the frontal bone with intact dura mater. The surgical wound was closed primarily by a layer-by-layer fashion. Histologic examination was later performed for definite diagnosis. The histologic examination revealed abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cell with granuloma formation. Radionuclide bone scan and positron emission tomography was taken and revealed free of multi-organ involvement. At 3 months after surgery, natural looking contour at the lateral eyebrow region was observed with no tumor recurrence. Differential diagnosis of the hard and fixed mass at the lateral eyebrow region affecting the primary skull lesion from pediatric population includes epidermoid cyst, dermoid cyst and LCH. Generally, brief physical examination with plain X-ray view can be performed for clinical evaluation, but for a definite diagnosis, contrast MRI may be helpful.