A rare disorder mimics otitis media: Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone in a child with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease ranging from a benign to a rapidly fatal condition affecting young children predominantly, and is characterized by an abnormal clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells. We report a case of a 3-year-old child presenting with a 1-year history of otorrhea and otorrhagia followed by a 6-month history of postauricular swelling in the right ear. Imaging demonstrated a large mass of organized tissue. A biopsy was conducted, and the diagnosis of LCH was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. The child was treated with a 12-month course of vinblastine chemotherapy with prednisolone. No clinical evidence of recurrence was noticed after 3 years of follow-up. This rare case highlights the importance for otolaryngologists to keep LCH in mind for differential diagnosis in very young patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of acute mastoiditis or chronic otitis media.