Langerhans Histiocytosis Mimicking Aggressive Periodontitis in Adult: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), also known as histiocytosis X, is a rare condition characterized by neoplastic proliferation of histiocytes and other inflammatory cells leading to the accumulation and pathological dissemination of histiocytes and destruction of hard and soft tissues. It is clinically manifested as gingival enlargement, oral ulcers, and mobility of teeth, along with nonspecific radiographic features, making the diagnosis difficult for oral physicians. LCH has been reported to occur in children of 1 to 4 years, mostly in males. In adults, the incidence rate is 1–2 cases per million. We report here a rare case of LCH in a 23-year-old female patient with signs and symptoms of aggressive periodontitis that was not responding to conventional therapy, and eventually further investigations using immunohistochemistry led to the diagnosis of LCH.

Keywords

• aggressive periodontitis
• gingival hyperplasia
• langerhans histiocytosis