Intralesional infiltration of corticosteroids in the treatment of localised langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the mandible report of known cases and three new cases

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) can involve virtually any site and organ of the body, either as an isolated lesion or as a widespread systemic disease. Bone can be involved as a part of generalised disease or as a separate entity, formerly known as eosinophilic granuloma. The clinical cause of localised LCH (LLCH) to bone is generally benign. Solitary bone lesions may resolve spontaneously after diagnostic biopsy in a period of months to years. If treatment is indicated, as in larger lesions with pain, swelling and risk for spontaneous fracture, the disease can be controlled by chemotherapy or local measures such as surgical curettage, low-dose radiotherapy and intralesional injection of corticosteroids. There are no controlled studies in the literature comparing outcomes of these treatment modalities because of low incidence of the disease and general tendency to regress. Three patients (female, 28 months; male, 9 years; male, 15 years) with LLCH of the mandible were treated in an one stage procedure with intralesional injection of 80, 40 and 80 mg methylpredisolone succinate, respectively, as the primary form of treatment. Patients were seen for clinical and radiological evolution 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment, and yearly thereafter. The overall outcome was excellent. The lesions showed clinically and radiologically complete remission approximately 6 months after treatment. There were no complications nor morbidity of the treatment. After a follow-up period of 12 months, the patients are well with no evidence of residual disease on radiographs. Local injection of corticosteroids should be the initial choice of treatment of LLCH of the mandible, because of the favourable treatment outcome in this disease and possible complications and lasting effects of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.