Complete response of adult-onset CNS Langerhans cell histiocytosis documented on 18F-FDG PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2015 Dec;40(12):981-2. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000000994.

Abstract

We report a case of a 49-year-old woman with biopsy-proven multisystemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with hypothalamic involvement documented on F-FDG PET/CT. Chemotherapy with a combination of vinblastine, prednisolone, methotrexate, and 6-mercaptopurine was carried out. Two months later, a 90% reduction of the hypothalamic tumor mass was noted on magnetic resonance imaging, but with no signs of pathological F-FDG accumulation. The patient died 4 months later, and we found no signs of LCH on autopsy. Our case highlights the need for further studies regarding the role of F-FDG PET/CT in the assessment of treatment response in patients with LCH.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hypothalamus / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18