Sinus histiocytosis with massive cervical lymphadenopathy. Case report and literature review. 1986

V G Schweitzer, and G D Bobier

Sinus histiocytosis with massive cervical lymphadenopathy (SHML) was originally described in 1969 as a benign clinicopathologic entity characterized by massive bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, leukocytosis, elevated ESR, and hypergammaglobulinemia, usually occurring within the first two decades of life. We present an illustrated case of an elderly patient with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and a 2-year history of multilobulated cervical and submandibular lymphadenopathy. The etiology and pathogenesis of SHML are not known. Diagnosis requires lymph node biopsy to exclude other causes of cervical lymphadenopathy such as malignant lymphoma, malignant histiocytosis, metastatic carcinoma, and tuberculous lymphadenitis. Histologic examination shows marked dilatation of subcapsular and medullary lymph node sinuses containing large, foamy or vacuolated histiocytes. Although no curative treatment is known, corticosteroids, radiation therapy, vinblastine and oral cyclophosphamide, and surgery have been used to palliate constitutional symptoms and mechanical obstruction from massive lymphadenopathy. Since one third of SHML patients have evidence of disease for 5 years, and a mortality rate of 7% exists with benign histologic disease, all patients with SHML should be carefully screened for evidence of immunodeficiencies that may precipitate a fatal outcome.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007119 Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy A disorder characterized by proliferation of arborizing small vessels, prominent immunoblastic proliferations and amorphous acidophilic interstitial material. Clinical manifestations include fever, sweats, weight loss, generalized lymphadenopathy and frequently hepatosplenomegaly. Angioimmunoblastic Lymphadenopathy,Lymphadenopathy, Immunoblastic,Angioimmunoblastic Lymphadenopathies,Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathies,Lymphadenopathies, Angioimmunoblastic,Lymphadenopathies, Immunoblastic,Lymphadenopathy, Angioimmunoblastic
D008206 Lymphatic Diseases Diseases of LYMPH; LYMPH NODES; or LYMPHATIC VESSELS. Lymphatism,Status Lymphaticus,Disease, Lymphatic,Diseases, Lymphatic,Lymphatic Disease
D005260 Female Females
D006258 Head and Neck Neoplasms Soft tissue tumors or cancer arising from the mucosal surfaces of the LIP; oral cavity; PHARYNX; LARYNX; and cervical esophagus. Other sites included are the NOSE and PARANASAL SINUSES; SALIVARY GLANDS; THYROID GLAND and PARATHYROID GLANDS; and MELANOMA and non-melanoma skin cancers of the head and neck. (from Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 4th ed, p1651) Cancer of Head and Neck,Head Cancer,Head Neoplasm,Head and Neck Cancer,Head and Neck Neoplasm,Neck Cancer,Neck Neoplasm,Neck Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Upper Aerodigestive Tract,UADT Neoplasm,Upper Aerodigestive Tract Neoplasm,Upper Aerodigestive Tract Neoplasms,Cancer of Head,Cancer of Neck,Cancer of the Head,Cancer of the Head and Neck,Cancer of the Neck,Head Neoplasms,Head, Neck Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Head,Neoplasms, Head and Neck,Neoplasms, Neck,UADT Neoplasms,Cancer, Head,Cancer, Neck,Cancers, Head,Cancers, Neck,Head Cancers,Neck Cancers,Neoplasm, Head,Neoplasm, Neck,Neoplasm, UADT,Neoplasms, UADT
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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