J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  2012 Dec;16(3):262-265. 10.13104/jksmrm.2012.16.3.262.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Pancreatic Involvement: Imaging Findings Including Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Korea. mjl1213@yuhs.ac
  • 2Department of Pediatric Oncology, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Korea.

Abstract

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) can affect many different organs. However, LCH with pancreatic involvement is very rare with a few reports about imaging findings. We present a case of multisystemic LCH with pancreatic involvement in a five-week-old infant. Pancreas lesion showed hypoechoic on ultrasonography, low density with poor enhancement on CT, and restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging. Although LCH with pancreatic involvement is rare, LCH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic mass in children.

Keyword

Langerhans cell histocytosis; Pancreas; Diffusion-weighted imaging

MeSH Terms

Child
Diagnosis, Differential
Diffusion
Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell
Humans
Infant
Pancreas

Figure

  • Fig. 1 5-week-old male infant with granulomatous skin lesions. a. Abdominal sonograph showing a round hypoechoic mass (arrow) in the uncinate process of the pancreas. b. Doppler sonograph showing internal vascularity in the pancreatic lesion (arrow). c. Axial image of the abdominal CT scan showing a round lesion with low attenuation and poor enhancement at the uncinate process (arrow) of the pancreas. d-f. Abdominal MRI showing a solid mass (arrow) with low signal intensity on the T1-weighted image (d) and intermediate signal intensity on the T2-weighted image (e). DWI showing the lesion as high signal intensity on the b-value 1000 sec/mm2 image (f), suggestive of diffusion restriction. g. Skin biopsy showing dermal infiltration of histiocytes suggestive of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.


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