Hand-Schüller-Christian disease and Erdheim-Chester disease: coexistence and discrepancy.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) share similar clinical features and mechanisms. In very rare circumstances, the two diseases coexist in the same patient. Here we report such a patient, who was first diagnosed with Hand-Schüller-Christian disease (HSC), a type of LCH. Several years later, the patient presented with severe exophthalmos and osteosclerosis on radiograph. New biopsy revealed ECD. We also analyze 54 cases of LCH and 6 cases of ECD diagnosed in our hospital, as well as their progression during a follow-up period of 8 years. In five cases of HSC (9.3% of LCH), a triad of central diabetes insipidus, hyperprolactinemia, and pituitary stalk thickening on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preceded the typical bone lesions by 4-9 years. In addition, LCH was featured as elevated plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which was normal in ECD. Combined with a literature review, several features are summarized to differentiate ECD from HSC. In patients with diabetes insipidus, concomitant hyperprolactinemia and pituitary stalk thickening on MRI indicate a possible HSC. Additionally, if osteosclerosis is observed in a patient with LCH, the coexistence of ECD should be considered.