[Histiocytosis of Langerhans cells: a study of 40 cases].

Forty cases of histiocytosis of Langerhans' cells (26 children and 14 adults) were evaluated; 20 were localized forms (with single or multiple bone involvement); another 20 were generalized forms, with organic dysfunction (lung, liver, hemopoietic system) in 7 children. This feature has a poor prognostic significance, as shown by the fact that 3 of these 7 patients died. In 3 patients single skin involvement was found, with spontaneous recovery one month after the diagnosis in one; in one case the single involvement was lymphadenopathic, associated to Hodgkin's lymphoma, and in another it was hypothalamic.