ELEVATED ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION-RATE AND THROMBOCYTOSIS AS POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF ACTIVE DISEASE IN LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease with an unpredictabl e course and unpredictable reactivations. Since active disease may cau se life-long sequelae, early detection of reactivation is important. T he usefulness of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and thrombocytos is as indicators of disease activity in patients with LCH were examine d. The mean values for ESR and platelet count for each quarter of a ye ar were compiled. The means of all the ESR estimates (n = 76) during e ach quarter of a year with active disease was 21 mm h(-1), with interm ediate disease activity 11 mm h(-1) and with resolution 7 mm h(-1). Th e corresponding platelet count estimates (n = 139) were 433 x 10(9) l( -1), 365 x 10(9) l(-1) and 304 x 109 l(-1), respectively. In conclusio n, elevated ESR and platelet count may be clinically valuable indicato rs of disease activity in LCH.