Published online Aug 28, 2016. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v8.i8.757
Peer-review started: December 18, 2015
First decision: February 29, 2016
Revised: May 14, 2016
Accepted: June 14, 2016
Article in press: June 16, 2016
Published online: August 28, 2016
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is an uncommon, non-familial, non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which involves skeletal system and soft tissue usually in middle aged and elderly patients. The characteristic radiologic features include bilateral, symmetric cortical osteosclerosis of the diaphyseal and metaphyseal parts of the long bones, or bilateral symmetrically abnormal intense 99mTechnetium labelling of the metaphyseal-diaphyseal region of the long bones, and computed tomography scan findings of “coated aorta” or “hairy kidneys”. ECD in childhood with osteolytic lesion is extremely rare. We describe an unusual case with an expansile lytic bone lesion at presentation in a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Core tip: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is characterised by bilateral, symmetric cortical osteosclerosis of the diaphyseal and metaphyseal parts of the long bones. Occurrence of osteolytic lesions and presentation in childhood are extremely rare. We describe an unusual case of ECD with an expansile lytic bone lesion in a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.