Cutaneous Manifestations of Letterer-Siwe's Disease

Abstract

My interest in Letterer-Siwe's disease (malignant histiocytoma) has been stimulated during the past six years, during which time I saw four cases of this rare condition. In two cases, the infants were brought in for medical care because of the cutaneous lesions. In one case, the correct diagnosis was made from the skin lesions alone (Case 4). The purpose of this paper is to call attention to the cutaneous lesions present in this malignant disease and to point out the resemblance of these lesions to such benign conditions as seborrheic dermatitis, moniliasis, trichophytosis, pyoderma, and toxic purpuric conditions. A review of literature in which descriptions of the skin lesions present in this condition were given in detail showed that Letterer-Siwe's disease may be initiated by pruritus; macular, papular, vesicular, bullous, pustular, or furuncular lesions; petechiae; eczematoid reactions, and at times exfoliation. One case showed pig