Gastrointestinal langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult presenting with anal protrusion and multiple colorectal ulcers: a case report.

Abstract

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterized by the proliferation of Langerhans cells, a type of dendritic cell essential for immune response. While LCH predominantly affects children, its manifestation in adults, especially within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is exceedingly rare. We present a unique case of a 56-year-old female with rare GI manifestations of LCH. The patient initially noticed pimple-like lesions around her anal orifice, which evolved into prominent protruding lesions over 3 months. Subsequent colonoscopy revealed multiple ulcers in the colorectal area, particularly concentrated in the sigmoid colon. Histopathological examination of biopsy samples, combined with immunohistochemical staining, confirmed the diagnosis of LCH. This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, especially when patients are present with atypical symptoms. The current literature suggests that such GI manifestations of LCH in adults are infrequent, making this case a valuable contribution to the understanding of LCH's clinical spectrum.