Deprez, N., Dedeurwaerdere, F., Vergauwen, O., Bouckaert, B., Demedts, I. (2016). ‘Een 52-jarige rookster met thoracale pijn en aanhoudende inspanningsdyspneu’. Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, 72(2), 128-132.
The clinical and radiographic presentation in patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is non-specific. One should bear it in mind in case of smokers with ongoing complaints of dyspnea on exertion and a non-productive cough with nodular or cystic lesions on a radiography. The definitive diagnosis is made through immunohistochemical staining on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or lung biopsy tissue. The crucial step in the treatment is smoking cessation. PLCH has an individually variable course. The development of pulmonary hypertension is a negative prognostic sign.