18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography delineates involved sites in the cervical spine in Langerhans cell histiocytosis

[摘要] Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a granulomatous tumorous lesionconsisting of CD1a-positive clonal immature dendritic cells in association with various inflammatory cells, develops in tissues includingbone, skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. When bone LCH exhibits osteolyticlesions, the spine is often involved, and each part of the vertebral body,vertebral arch, and vertebral spinous process can be affected. Such vertebral LCH can occur at the onset of disease and in relapse. To confirm pathological sites, a computed tomography (CT) scan is generallyused to characterize lytic lesions of vertebrae, while MRI is suitablefor delineating marrow and soft tissue. Additionally, to identify specificlocations, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT(FDG-PET/CT) is useful. We describe three LCH cases showing characteristic cervical spinal involvement.

[关键词] cervical spine;FDG-PET/CT;Langerhans cell histiocytosis