Juvenile xanthogranuloma pathology

Introduction

Juvenile xanthogranuloma usually presents in young children as a smooth pink or yellow nodule.

Histology of juvenile xanthogranuloma

In juvenile xanthogranuloma, the lesion begins as a dense lymphohistiocytic proliferation of dermis with rare giant cells. As it evolves, the dermal tumour contains a population of foamy histiocytes and giant cells (figures 1–3). Touton giant cells are quite characteristic of juvenile xanthogranuloma (best seen in figure 3). These cells contain a ring of nuclei surrounding a central homogeneous cytoplasm, while foamy cytoplasm surrounds the nuclei. Later the cells become more spindled and fibrohistiocytic-like.

Figure 1 

Figure 2 

Figure 3 

Special studies for juvenile xanthogranuloma

Immunohistochemistry can be used. Typically the tumour is positive with CD68, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, lysozyme, vimentin, and Factor XIIIa. Useful negative stains include S100 and CD1a.

Differential diagnosis for juvenile xanthogranuloma

• Dermatofibroma typically lacks Touton giant cells and has a dense collagenous stroma, storiform growth pattern, and often an overlying pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia.
• Xanthomas show more uniform foamy histiocytes and more frequently occur in multiplicity. the polymorphous infiltrate typically seen in juvenile xanthogranuloma is usually absent.
• Langerhans cell histiocytosis typically shows staining with S100+ and CD1a+.
• Reticulohistiocytoma is composed of histiocytes with eosinophilic or ground glass cytoplasm.