Juvenile Xanthogranuloma in a Pediatric Patient with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Purpose: To report a case of juvenile xanthogranuloma that simulated a chalazion and to discuss the association between juvenile xanthogranuloma and Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Method: Case report and review of literature.

Results: A 13-year-old boy with a prior history of Langerhans cell histiocytosis was referred to our clinic for a possible chalazion. The patient had undergone treatment for Langerhans cell histiocytosis 10 years prior. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy. Histopathology revealed a proliferation of histiocytes and lymphocytes with Touton giant cells, consistent with a diagnosis of juvenile xanthogranuloma.

Conclusions: Though the relationship between Langerhans cell histiocytosis and juvenile xanthogranuloma has yet to be fully elucidated, juvenile xanthogranuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis for any former Langerhans cell histiocytosis patient presenting with a new cutaneous lesion.