Erdheim-Chester diseaseD76.3

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 17.10.2022

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

Erdheim-Chester disease; Lipogranulomatosis Erdheim-Chester

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.

Chester, 1930

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Rare (1500 cases have been reported worldwide since 1930/Haroche J et al. 2020), formerly attributed to disseminated adult xanthogranulomas(non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis), which according to recent findings (overlap between Langerhans cell histiocytoses and Erheim-Chester disease is found in 20% of cases) is assigned to the Langerhans group of histiocytoses (L group) in the 2016 classification (see below Histiocytoses).

EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.

The etiology is unknown. Inflammatory or neoplastic causes are discussed.

Detectable levels of interferon-alpha, interleukin-7, interleukin-12, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (see CCL2) are elevated. Interleukin-4 is frequently decreased. The described constellation suggests a systemic, Th-1-oriented immune disorder.

Detection of mutations in the BRAF proto-oncogene(BRAFV600E) is detectable in > 50% of cases, making it an important diagnostic feature of the disease.

ManifestationThis section has been translated automatically.

ECD becomes manifest in adults between 40 and 60 years of age; m:w = 3:1.

Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.

The clinical course of the disease is wide-ranging. It varies from asymptomatic to multisystemic, life-threatening forms.

Bone infiltration: The pathognomonic feature of ECD is osteosclerosis of the long bones(bone pain especially in the distal lower extremities (80-95% of cases). Infiltration of the pituitary gland leads to diabetes insipidus and in rare cases hyperprolactinemia and gonadotropin deficiency.

General symptoms: fever, generalized weakness and weight loss.

Ophthamologic: exophthalmos, papilledema.

Dermatologic changes (rather rare): clinically uncharacteristic skin-colored to yellowish papules, nodules and plaques, and xanthelasma.

CNS: demonstrable cerebellar and pyramidal signs, headache, seizures, cognitive impairment, cranial nerve palsies, and sensory disturbances. Central nervous system involvement is a strong (negative) prognostic factor!

Cardiovascular: Evidence of a so-called "coated aorta" (40% of cases). Alterations of the renal arteries lead to renal hypertension. Other inconstant symptoms include pericardial tamponade, pseudo-tumorous infiltration of the right atrium (36% of cases), and dyspnea due to infiltration of the lungs.

Pseudo-retroperitoneal fibrosis is sometimes complicated by bilateral hydronephrosis.

HistologyThis section has been translated automatically.

Diffuse to granulomatous accumulation of mostly xanthomatized macrophages, giant cells, and single eosinophilic granulocytes. Older lesions with a tendency to fibrosis. Cells were negative for CD1a and CD207 but positive for CD68. S100 protein was detected sporadically.

Differential diagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.

Sarcoidosis

Whipple's disease

Langerhans cell histiocytoses of other provenance

TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.

Interferon-α appears to be the best first-line treatment for ECD. Since 2012, more than 200 patients with multisystemic or refractory ECD worldwide have benefited from highly effective therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. Targeted therapies have overall, robust, and reproducible efficacy in ECD, with no acquired resistance to date. However, their use is best reserved for the most severe manifestations of the disease, as they may be associated with serious adverse effects and as yet unknown long-term consequences.

Progression/forecastThis section has been translated automatically.

Depends on the location of the granulomas.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Chester W (1930) On lipoid granulomatosis. Virchows Arch Pathol Anat 279: 561-602.
  2. Cives M et al (2015) Erdheim-Chester disease: a systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 95:1-11.
  3. Haroche J et al (2020) Erdheim-Chester disease. Blood 135:1311-1318.
  4. Haroun F et al. (2017) Erdheim-Chester disease: Comprehensive Review of Molecular Profiling and Therapeutic Advances. Anticancer Res 37:2777-2783.
  5. Ivan D (2003) Erdheim-Chester disease: a unique presentation with liver involvement and vertebral osteolytic lesions. Arch Pathol Lab Med 127: e337-339.
  6. Jaffe HL (1972) Metabolic, degenerative and inflammatory diseases of bones and joints. Urban and Schwarzenberg Publishers Munich Vienna Berlin pp 535-541.
  7. Lenahan SE et al (2003) Erdheim-Chester disease. J Cutan Med Surg 7: 129-132.
  8. Murray D (2001) Erdheim-chester disease. Clin Radiol 56: 481-484
  9. Merai H et al (2020) Erdheim-Chester disease: A case report and review of the literature. J Clin Imaging Sci10:37.
  10. Watermann DF (2001) Skin manifestations of Erdheim-Chester disease. Case report and review of the Literature. Dermatologist 52: 510-517
  11. Weidauer S et al (2003) Cerebral Erdheim-Chester disease: case report and review of the literature. Neuroradiology 45: 241-245

Authors

Last updated on: 17.10.2022