The prognosis of polyostotic eosinophilic granuloma.

Nine examples of polyostotic histiocytosis without visceral involvement with long-term follow-up are presented. Only one patient had the complete Hand-Schüller-Christian disease triad of multiple osteolytic lesions, diabetes insipidus, and exophthalmos. Three of the nine patients had solitary osseous lesions when first seen but other lesions developed within ten years. The other six had multiple lesions when first seen. In no case was progression to systemic histiocytosis observed. Eight patients were well and in good health seven to 18 years after initial diagnosis. One died indirectly of his disease. Low-dose radiation therapy seems to accelerate healing of lesions.