Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: A case report with review

Abstract

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis also known as lipoid dermatoarthritis is a rare multisystem disorder that affects skin, mucosa and joints and has distinct histopathological features. We report a case of a 31 year old female who presented to us for joint pain involving knees and wrists and asymptomatic papulonodules over forearms knuckles and periungual region. The diagnosis of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis was made on the basis of typical histopathological features which showed multinucleated giant cells and sheets of histiocytes with abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. Work up for associated diseases was negative. The patient was put on systemic steroids however was lost for follow up. The worldwide incidence of the disease is very low (around 300 cases in recent years) and it is mainly seen in Caucasians although Hispanic, African and Asian cases have also been described. Reports from India are limited and hence the present case is being reported with a brief review of the disease.

Keywords

• Arthritis
• Histiocytosis
• S100 protein