Lymphographic appearance of histiocytosis X

The term “histiocytosis X” was introduced by Louis Lichtenstein (1953) to indicate the two common features of a group of conditions in which histiocytic infiltration of one or more tissues is not accompanied by any known aetiology. The group, which embraces eosinophilic granuloma, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease and Letterer-Siwe disease, is expressed in many forms and degrees of virulence.

Lymphadenopathy as the initial manifestation of histiocytosis X has been reported (Oberman, 1961; Lieberman et al, 1969; Lucaya, 1971; Reid et al, 1977; Williams & Dorfman, 1979; Motoi et al, 1980).

We now report the lymphographic appearance in a patient presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy due to histiocytosis X, and refer to two further cases from the records of the Royal Marsden Hospital.