pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis


pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis

A condition seen almost exclusively in cigarette smokers, which is characterised by proliferation of Langerhans cells. Early lesions have a centrilobular distribution and a mixed inflammatory-cell infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, plasma cells, pigmented macrophages and fibroblasts. With time, the inflammation subsides and fibrotic scars predominate with enlarged and distorted airspaces. The characteristic histology can be confirmed by CD1a staining.