Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman Disease Confused with Vascular Mass

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Rosai-Dorfman disease is a rare histiocytic disorder initially described in 1969 by Rosai and Dorfman [1] under the term sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy. Clinically, the disease is characterized by massive, bilateral painless cervical lymphadenopathy and can be accompanied by fever, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and polyclonal gammopathy [2345]. Extranodal involvement occurs in 43% of cases with anatomic distribution that includes nasal and paranasal cavities, eyes and retro-orbital tissue, central nervous system, bones, and skin [24678910]. In this case report, we present a patient with a cutaneous form of Rosai-Dorfman disease.

CASE REPORT

A 45-year-old male patient presented with a painless left chin mass which had been growing in size over a 2-month period leading up to the clinic visit (Fig. 1). On examination, the nodule measured 1.5 cm by 1 cm. It was erythematous and was mobile without tenderness to palpation. No lymph node enlargement could be found. The patient denied systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise, and weight loss. Ultrasonogram of the lesion revealed prominent blood flow, which was suggestive of a vascular mass such as hemangioma or arteriovenous malformation (Fig. 2). On computed tomography (CT) study, however, the lesion did not appear as hypervascular as suggested by the ultrasound study (Fig. 3).

Fig. 1

This erythematous mass had grown over a 2-month period prior to presentation. The mass was soft and mobile, and was nontender to palpation.

Fig. 2

Preoperative ultrasonography demonstrates prominently increased blood flow within the mass, which was suggestive of hemangioma.

Fig. 3

Preoperative computed tomography study showed the skin nodule to be mildly enhancing, which made the hemangioma diagnosis less likely.

Under the presumptive diagnosis of a hemangioma, we planned for an excision of the lesion with primary indication being cosmesis. In the operating room, the chin surrounding the lesion was anesthetized with local injection and surgically prepped. The nodule was excised in an elliptical fashion without any unusual operative findings, and the wound was closed primarily.

On H&E staining, the lesion was found to have infiltration of large histiocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells (Fig. 4). Immunohistochemical stain of the specimen was positive for S-100 protein and CD 68 (Fig. 5) but negative for CD1a. Final pathologic diagnosis was Rosai-Dorfman disease.

Fig. 4

(A) H&E staining of the surgical specimen demonstrates infiltration by large histiocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells (×100). (B) A few of the histiocytes exhibit lymphophagocytosis (×400).

Fig. 5

Histiocytes show immunoreactivity for S-100 (A, ×100) and CD68 (B, ×100).

Because systemic involvement is a frequent presentation for Rosai-Dorfman, additional CT studies were performed for neck, chest, and abdomen. The studies were negative for lymph node enlargements, and no suspicious masses could be found in extranodal sites. The patient was discharged home with the diagnosis of cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease and remains free of local recurrence at 8 months.

DISCUSSION

The term 'cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease' is used for those cases in which the disease is limited to the skin. It is clinically distinct from other forms of Rosai-Dorfman disease with systemic involvement [1111213]. Clinical features of the cutaneous disease are varied, and can be characterized by a combination of papules, plaques or nodules and pustules, granuloma annulare–like, psoriasiform, rosacea-like, xanthelasma-like, acneiform, vasculitislike, and pseudotumor-like lesions [14].

Regardless of clinical presentation, histopathologic findings are similar in all manifestations of the Rosai-Dorfman disease. In skin biopsies, a bulk of inflammatory infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes and histiocytes could be found in the upper and mid dermis or in subcutaneous tissue. The histiocytes contain large vesicular nuclei, small nucleoli, and pale cytoplasm [151617]. Emperipolesis is the pathognomonic finding, which is the result of histiocytes engulfing intact lymphocytes surrounded by a clear halo [18]. Histiocytes show diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear staining for S100 and CD68 but do not stain with CD1a.

Generally, cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease does not require treatment. However, the lesions can be treated by excision, cryotherapy, steroid, retinoid, methotrexate, and thalidomide for cosmetic indication [14].

Only a few studies have reported the use of radiologic studies such as CT, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate Rosai-Dorfman disease [19]. However, imaging studies for cutaneous form of this disease have not been reported because the disease is rare and because pathologic findings are much more important for diagnosis. In our patient, the ultrasonographic study suggested the preoperative lesion to be a hemangioma, and the lesion was excised under the presumptive diagnosis of hemangioma. If we had obtained a punch biopsy of the lesion prior to imaging and the pathologic exam had revealed the diagnosis of cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease, we might have chosen a treatment modality other than excision.

Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman is a rare disease and cannot be ruled out from clinical presentation. As it was with our case, preoperative imaging studies are not helpful. Pathologic examination is required for definite diagnosis, and additional lesions must be ruled out because systemic manifestations are common.

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