| Literature DB >> 36158473 |
Xiao-Li Xu1, Xiao-Hong Liang1, Juan Liu2, Xu Deng3, Lu Zhang4, Zhi-Gang Wang5.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare non-Langerhans histiocytosis of unknown etiology characterized by papulonodular skin lesions and progressive, erosive arthritis. To date, there have been approximately 300 cases of MRH reported worldwide. The majority of patients are Caucasian from western countries, and Asian patients are rare. Here, we report a case of MRH in a Chinese patient. CASEEntities:
Keywords: Arthritis; CD68; Case report; Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis; Papulonodular skin lesions
Year: 2022 PMID: 36158473 PMCID: PMC9372849 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i22.7913
Source DB: PubMed Journal: World J Clin Cases ISSN: 2307-8960 Impact factor: 1.534
Figure 1Skin lesions of the patient. A-E: Skin-colored, brownish-red, millet to mung bean-sized maculopapules were observed on the patient’s neck, chest, waist, abdomen, and arms; F: Multiple round or oval nodules, 2-8 mm in size, reddish-brown, hard, and unbroken were observed on both hands.
Figure 2Imaging examinations of the patient. A: Radiographs of both hands. Narrowing of the interphalangeal and intercarpal joint spaces in both hands, reduced bone density of the joint components, visible cystic translucent areas, and narrowing of the radial carpal joint on the left side were observed; B: Knee MRI. Osteochondral damage of the patellofemoral articular surface and fluid accumulation in the left knee joint cavity and suprapatellar capsule were observed; C: HRCT of the chest. There was interstitial inflammation present in both lungs; bilateral interlobular fissure nodules; focal fibrosis in both lower lobes of the lungs; and cystic foci in the right subscapularis muscle.
Figure 3Pathological examination of the patient’s skin. A: Histopathology of the skin from the left upper back. The epidermis was generally normal, and the dermal papillae showed an increased number of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells with abundant cell cytoplasm and hairy glass-like changes, with a little surrounding lymphatic and eosinophilic infiltration (HE 40×). Immunohistochemical staining: B: CD68-positive; C: CD1a negative; and D: S-100 negative (SP×100).
Figure 4Timeline summarizing the patient’s disease process.
Comparison of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis and rheumatoid arthritis
|
|
|
|
| Joint involvement | Hand joint, knee joint, the shoulder, elbow, hip, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal joint | Double hand joint, wrist joint, foot joint, |
| The distal interphalangeal joints involvement is frequent | The distal interphalangeal joints involvement is rare | |
| Rate of joint destruction | Rapid | Slow |
| Radiologic characteristics | Enlargement of joint cavity | Periarticular osteopenia |
| Loss of articular cartilage and resorption of subchondral bone; no bone loss and abnormal new bone formation | Narrowing of the joint space, and bone erosion |
MRH: Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis; RA: Rheumatoid arthritis; DIP: Distal interphalangeal; PIP: Proximal interphalangeal joint; MCP: Metacarpophalangeal joints.
Comparison of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis and dermatomyositis
|
|
|
|
| Amyasthenia | More than 90% showed a symmetrical proximal muscle weakness | Rare |
| Increased myoenzyme | Almost all patients with DM (except CADM) have at least one myoenzyme level at some point in the disease course | Rare |
| Skin manifestations | Gottron papules and heliotrope rash are the definitive features of DM; Gottron signs, erythema along the light site, heterochromia, nail fold changes, scalp involvement, and skin calcification are also typical manifestations of DM | The manifestations of skin lesions include popular nodules and macules. Skin lesions are primarily distributed on the face, scalp, behind the ears, neck, anterior chest, back, waist, and abdomen, arms, hands, and thigh |
| Skin biopsy | The sporadic or focal infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and histiocytes | A large number of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells with an eosinophilic cytoplasm and hairy glass-like changes |
MRH: Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis; DM: Dermatomyositis; CADM: Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis.
The clinical characteristics of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis
|
| |
| Skin lesions | The skin is the most frequently involved site of MRH. Skin lesions may be the first symptom and are primarily distributed on the face, scalp, behind the ears, neck, anterior chest, back, waist, and abdomen, arms, hands, and thigh. The manifestations of skin lesions include papular nodules, and macules. MRH can also involve mucous membranes ( |
| MRH-associated arthritis | Arthritis can appear as the first symptom of MRH and also can occur simultaneously with skin lesions. MRH-associated arthritis can be characterized as diffuse, symmetric, progressive, and destructive. MRH is most commonly involved in the hand joints, especially the distal interphalangeal joint, followed by the knee joint, the shoulder, elbow, hip, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal joint. The affected joints exhibit swelling, pain, increase in skin temperature, joint effusion, and some patients can also experience morning stiffness |
| Other clinical manifestations | |
|
| |
| Non-specific. Some patients may have increased leukocytes, decreased hemoglobin, accelerated sedimentation, and elevated lipids | |
|
| |
| Histopathological manifestations: a large number of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells with an eosinophilic cytoplasm and hairy glass-like changes | |
| Immunohistochemistry: macrophage marker CD68 is positive; the Langerhans cell tissue markers S-100, CD1a and B cell markers CD19 and CD20 are negative; CD45, CD43, Mac387, and lysozyme are positive to varying degrees | |
|
| |
| Systemic autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, dermatomyositis, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and tuberculosis | |
| Malignancy: Covering almost all solid tumors and hematologic malignant diseases | |
|
| |
| MRH is most easily confused with rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, and psoriatic arthritis | |
|
| |
| Initial treatment: Glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressants regimens. Commonly used immunosuppressants include methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, hydroxychloroquine, and leflunomide | |
| Biological agents: TNF-α antagonists ( | |
|
| |
| The prognosis of MRH patients varies greatly among individuals; It is related to treatment choice, response to drug therapy, and comorbidities | |
MRH: Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IL: Interleukin.