CNS disease as the main manifestation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in two children

• Published in: Neuropediatrics Vol. 35; no. 1; p. 45
• Main Authors: Rostasy, K, Kolb, R, Pohl, D, Mueller, H, Fels, C, Moers, A V, Bergmann, M, Hanefeld, F, Pekrun, A, Schulz-Schaeffer, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.02.2004
• Subjects: Central Nervous System Diseases - complications; Central Nervous System Diseases - pathology; Child; Fatal Outcome; Female; Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell - complications; Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell - pathology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• ISSN: 0174-304X
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815791

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare and fatal disorder of early infancy, which affects predominantly the mononuclear phagocyte system and is characterized by the presence of fever, hepatosplenomegaly and cytopenia. Neurological symptoms can be extremely variable, ranging from irritability, and convulsions to focal neurological signs. They often develop during disease progression, but can also be the leading initial symptoms. Early diagnosis is mandatory, because new treatments, including bone marrow transplantation, appear to be promising. Here we present the clinical, neuroradiological and histopathological findings from two children with progressive CNS disease as the main clinical manifestation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Both children died and diagnosis was only obtained in retrospect after careful review of the histopathological material.