Vulvar ulcer as a presentation of systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2011 Mar-Apr;77(2):177-9. doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.77458.

Abstract

We report a 38-year-old housewife with systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) presenting as a chronic vulvar and peri-anal ulcer. She had systemic involvement in the form of diabetes insipidus and bone "hot-spots". She responded favorably to etoposide, 6-mercaptopurine, and systemic steroids, and has been in remission since 10 years. Chronic vulvar ulcers not responding to routine therapy should not be neglected and need to be biopsied repeatedly to come to a specific diagnosis. The vulvar ulcer in our case provided a vital clue to a systemic LCH, with a successful outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / complications
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Ulcer / diagnosis*
  • Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Ulcer / etiology
  • Vulvar Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Vulvar Diseases / drug therapy
  • Vulvar Diseases / etiology

Substances

  • Etoposide