Histocytosis X, aka Langerhans-cell histiocytosis, is a group of disorders in which there is organ infiltration by granulomatous lesions containing clonally proliferated dendrintic (=Langerhams) cells.
The most commonly affected organs are lungs and bones.
Lung histiocytosis tends to affect young adults and is commonest in smokers.
The CXR shows multiple ring shadows with diffuse reticulo-nodular opacities affecting mainly the upper and mid zones.
Biopsy would show characteristic Birbeck granules.
Treatment is ?local excision, ?steroids.
Now onwards for a run of the last 3 short battles of the day, starting with Bartter's Syndrome...
