Case Report: Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving the cervical spine in an adult patient

Abstract

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a typically benign disorder that affects infants predominately, with adult occurrence being uncommon. We discuss the case of a 22-year-old guy who visited our clinic complaining of three months of acute nape pain and upper limb radiculopathy. Notably, the patient had no history of trauma, fall injuries, or tuberculosis. Radiological tests identified a single osteolytic lesion within the C3 vertebral body. The lesion was removed, an anterior C3 corpectomy and discectomy were performed, and the patient's spine was reconstructed with a titanium cage and plating. The patient's nape discomfort and radiculopathy vanished almost instantly after surgery. A definitive diagnosis of LCH was confirmed through histological examination. This case report illustrates the unusual and uncommon occurrence of LCH at the C3 vertebral body, for which fusion surgery was the only viable therapeutic option. The patient's recovery from radiating pain following the surgical procedure demonstrates the effectiveness of the intervention. LCH in the cervical spine is rather rare, but it is nevertheless important to be aware of the possibility of developing it.