Eosinophilic granuloma belongs to a group of diseases known as histiocytosis. In the course of these entities, pathological infiltrates can locate in various organs of the body, for eosinophilic granuloma the lungs are a specific localization - therefore the disease is also referred to as pulmonary form of histiocytosis X.

Eosinophilic granulomabelongs to the group of histiocytosis. It is a rather unusual unit, which is due to several aspects. In some patients it leads to persistent ailments, while in others there are no symptoms of eosinophilic granuloma. The problem may go away on its own, but pharmacotherapy may be necessary to heal the patient. It also happens that the changes caused by eosinophilic granuloma disappear when the patient … quits smoking. All histiocytoses are rare diseases, so it is quite difficult to determine the exact frequency of their occurrence. Generally, according to statistics, various forms of histiocytosis, including eosinophilic granuloma, account for up to 6% of all interstitial lung diseases. In patients of both sexes, the unit is found with a similar frequency. The most common disease affecting eosinophilic granuloma is patients between 20 and 40 years of age. years of age.

Eosinophilic granuloma: causes

The exact pathogenesis of eosinophilic granuloma has not been established so far. However, the influence of smoking on the incidence of this disease is noticeable. The suspected mechanism leading to eosinophilic granuloma is the irritating effect of substances contained in tobacco smoke on the respiratory tract - eosinophilic granuloma occurs almost exclusively in those who use tobacco products. As a result of the action of irritating factors, it would stimulate one of the types of antigen-presenting cells - Langerhans cells. The activated cells could flow into different regions of the lung and stimulate other cells of the immune system such as lymphocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages, and plasmocytes and eosinophils (eosinophils). The described processes result in the formation of nodules within the lungs that contain the above-mentioned cells and can infiltrate the structures of the bronchioles or the blood vessels of the lungs.

Eosinophilic granuloma:symptoms

The disease may be completely asymptomatic and may result in the occurrence of symptoms similar to those that occur in the course of other interstitial lung diseases. Symptoms of eosinophilic granuloma can be:

  • exercise-induced dyspnea
  • cough
  • weight loss
  • sweating
  • chest pain
  • increased body temperature
  • pneumothorax

Eosinophilic granuloma: diagnosis

Imaging tests are of fundamental importance in the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma - it is related to the fact that during standard medical assessment (e.g. during auscultation of the lungs) in patients, no abnormalities can be detected. Disease-related changes (such as the presence of nodules or reticular formations) can even be visualized on a chest X-ray. Another, much more precise examination used in the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma is high-resolution computed tomography. Based on the above-mentioned examinations, it is possible to suspect an eosinophilic granuloma - the final confirmation of the diagnosis is possible, however, by performing a cytological examination and finding in the test preparation characteristic cells (mainly all Langerhans cells). Both bronchopulmonary lavage (obtained by bronchoscopy) and fragments of the lesion obtained through its biopsy can be used for such analysis.

Eosinophilic granuloma: treatment

Eosinophilic granuloma tends to resolve spontaneously. It also happens that the lesions disappear when the patient stops using tobacco products. Patients with longer-lasting lesions require regular monitoring of their condition, and there is a need to repeat imaging examinations every few months. If the changes in imaging tests intensify or the symptoms of eosinophilic granuloma worsen, treatment with glucocorticosteroids may be initiated, and in particularly persistent cases of the disease, it is possible to recommend the patient to take e.g. methotrexate, cyclophosphamide or etoposide.

Category:

Respiratory system