[Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone].

BACKGROUND

The localized form of the Langerhans cell histiocytosis was referred to earlier as eosinophilic granuloma, which has the best prognosis of all histiocytosis syndromes concerning survival. The non-malignant proliferative disorder of the histiocytic system is still of unknown etiology. Characteristic radiographic signs are osteolytic lesions.

PATIENT: We report on an otologic manifestation of a 20-year-old man's temporal bone, which developed three years after a successful treatment of an eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible.

RESULTS

Surgery and low-dose irradiation led to a complete remission of the disease. Other manifestations of the disease were not detected until now.

CONCLUSIONS

In the presence of chronic aural discharge, Langerhans cell histiocytosis must bei considered in differential diagnosis and a histopathological examination should be performed.