Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with extra-mammillary Paget’s disease: a case report

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a very rare disease and was first identified in 1936 [1‐6]. The disease can involve the skin, mucosa, joints and/or muscles. Owing to the frequency of accompanying joint symptoms, MRH is easily misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis or dermatomyositis. Patients can also present with co-morbid tumors. Here, we describe a case with co-morbidity of MRH and extra-mammillary Paget’s disease (EMPD).

On 10 May 2012, a 47-year-old woman was admitted to our department because of a 1-year history of polyarthralgia and multiple papules that had first appeared 2 months prior. Five years previously, the patient had noticed an edematous rash on her left vulva; the rash was accompanied by a persistent itch. Scratching the rash resulted in the release of clear fluid. She went to local hospitals several times and was diagnosed with eczema. One year prior to presentation at our clinic, the patient began to experience symmetrical polyarthralgia, which was typically mild but exacerbated with exercise. The patient’s pain radiated from her ankle to her knee, and also from her finger to her palm, wrist, elbow, shoulder and spine, in series. The patient eventually experienced difficulty with flexion of both upper and lower limbs, such that walking became difficult. Two months later, she noticed that multiple red papules had appeared on her neck, upper chest and the distal portion of her dorsal finger. At each of several local hospitals, the patient was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and prescribed oral medication such as ibuprofen tablets; none of these had any effect. Six months ago, the patient lost 3 kg from her baseline weight. She was married with a son and a daughter, both of whom were healthy. Her father and younger brother had died of liver cancer. Notably, the patient had been menopausal for 3 years. Her medical history and personal history were normal.

Physical examination revealed multiple light-red papules on the forehead, ears, scalp, neck (Figure 1), upper chest and distal dorsal finger. The papules were about 0.5 mm in diameter, with variable distribution. The surface of the papules was lighter than normal skin. Despite the absence of limb swelling, the patient experienced difficulty in moving her upper-limb joints, knees and spine. The red papules on the left labium majus were clear and raised, with central ulcers and white scales on the surface (Figure 2). The patient’s inner thighs were covered by dark brown rashes. An X-ray examination (Figure 3) revealed osteoporosis in both hands, irregular bone destruction in the proximal interphalangeal joint, narrowing of local joint spaces, small fibrocystic changes in the carpal bones and the first metacarpal base of each hand and minimal soft-tissue swelling. The knees appeared to be normal.

The following auxiliary examinations were performed as well: a blood test, urine test, stool analysis, blood biochemistry, serum levels of T3/T4, serum immunoglobulin and complement, anti-CCP (-), blood ANA (-) and blood RF (-). The results of all tests were normal. The results of the chest X-ray and electrocardiogram were also normal. Ultrasound examination revealed a 4 × 2.3-cm intrauterine hypoechoic mass, bordering the muscle, which appeared to contain high levels of calcium. Notably, the lymph nodes were found on both sides of the neck, the armpit, and the groin. The liver, spleen, bladder and pancreas were normal. Pathological analysis of the neck skin (Figure 4) revealed light atrophy of the epidermis, the accumulation of nodular tissue cells in the shallow dermis, scattered multinuclear giant cells and tissue cells among the dermal collagen bundles and minimal lymphocytic infiltration in the superficial vessels. Granulomatous proliferation and frosted glass-like changes can be distinguished from sarcoidosis, which presents with an epithelioid cell granuloma with clear boundaries. Immunohistochemical analysis of a skin biopsy from the neck (Figure 5) revealed lysozyme ++, CD68 ++, AAT ++, CD1a -, S-100 - and EMA -. A skin biopsy of the cunnus revealed epidermal acanthosis and Paget cell polymegathism (Figure 6). The Paget cells appeared to have abundant cytoplasm and were either pale in color or transparent. The cells were free of intercellular bridges but exhibited large and trachychromatic nuclei, which were sometimes pushed to one side of the cell. The cells sometimes displayed a karyokinetic aspect, leading to adenoid differentiation of single cells. Further immunohistochemical examinations: CK7 ++, CK18 ++, CK19 ++, CK20 –, CEA part +, CA125 –, ER –, PR –, P53 + and CDX-2 –.

The clinical manifestation, auxiliary examinations and pathological examination suggested a diagnosis of concomitant MRH and EMPD. A regimen of tripterygium glycosides (a traditional Chinese medicine, which is immunosuppressant, 30 mg/pc) 6 pcs/d was recommended, to avoid any adverse effects. Routine blood examination was performed to monitor the patient’s hepatic and renal function. The patient was also treated with prednisone 5 mg/pc (every week for 1 month, and then once a month), acetate tablets (20 mg/d) and surgical intervention when necessary.

Two weeks later, the patient reported that her arthralgia had improved noticeably, which led to a reduction in the number of papules as well as an improved quality of life. The patient was transferred to the gynecology department and the genital tumor was extensively resected. No infiltration of nearby tissues and organs was found. Colonoscopy and colposcopy results were unremarkable. A telephone follow-up at 1 month revealed that the patient’s MRH was under control, and the patient was engaged in ongoing treatment for her EMPD.

MRH is a rare disease that is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus, which often leads to misdiagnosis. Co-morbidity with EMPD can make an accurate diagnosis even more challenging [2‐6]. This case report should aid medical practitioners if they encounter similar clinical presentations.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.