RESUMEN

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is most common in children and is unusual in the elderly. We describe 3 cases of langerhans cell histiocytosis limited to the skin in elderly patients. Biopsy specimens showed a dermal infiltrate abutting the epidermis composed of atypical langerhans cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and a "kidney-shaped" nucleus. Immunoperoxidase stain CD1a was positive in all 3 cases and S-100 stain was positive in 2. Electron microscopy revealed Birbeck granules in the cytoplasm of the atypical langerhans cells in 2 cases. Langerhans cell histiocytosis with skin involvement has a chronic course with an overall good prognosis. However, cutaneous manifestations may precede systemic involvement by many years.

Asunto(s)

Envejecimiento/patología , Histiocitosis de Células de Langerhans/patología , Enfermedades de la Piel/patología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Histiocitos/patología , Histiocitos/ultraestructura , Histiocitosis de Células de Langerhans/complicaciones , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades de la Piel/complicaciones