Abstract

GABILONDO LARRANAGA, Elena et al. Histiocytosis X. diagnosis by cryobiopsy: a case report. Rev Asoc Esp Espec Med Trab [online]. 2015, vol.24, n.1, pp.36-40. ISSN 3020-1160.

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a disease of uncertain etiology, which manifest itself either as a systemic or a localized disease. When confined to the lungs, it is known as Histiocytosis X. Although the exact incidence rate in unknown, more than 90% of cases are smokers of between 20 and 40 years old, most commonly women. Smoking plays a major role in the development of the disease, though the physiopathological mechanisms remain unclear. The clinical presentation of the disease varies from a non-specific cough, dyspnea, thoracic pain, weight loss, andpneumothorax. The diagnosis is based on high-resolution CT, respiratory, histological and immunohistochemistry tests. Histological confirmation is achieved via transbronchial biopsy, in our case lung criobiopsy, which increases the diagnostic yield and avoids complications. Smoking cessationprevents progression of the disease and can even lead to its regression.

Keywords : histiocytosis; tobacco; cryobiopsy.

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