Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the rib presenting with pathological fracture: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare neoplastic hyperplasia with an unknown etiology. It is clinically rare for patients with solitary rib lesion and pathological fracture; moreover, its diagnosis and treatment are quite difficult. The purpose of this study is to present a case for the pathogenesis, clinical features, imaging, and treatment of this disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old female patient complained of left chest pain for one week. CT showed a fracture in the left 5th rib. The rib tumor was then resected and the surrounding muscles and soft tissues were accordingly resected. The patient was diagnosed with pathological rib fracture, and the patient was pathologically diagnosed with LCH. After surgery, no local recurrence or distant metastasis was reported during the two-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LCH should be treated by observation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery, or using a combination of several methods. Moreover, primary tumor should be considered when rib fracture without trauma and tumor metastasis.