Spontaneous regression of orbital Langerhans cell granulomatosis in a three-year-old girl

PURPOSE: To report a case of spontaneous regression of orbital Langerhans c ell granulomatosis. METHOD: Case report, A 3-year-old girl was initially examined with a 5-week history of slowly progressive blepharoptosis and periorbital swelling of t he left eye, RESULTS: Computed tomographic scan showed a mass in the left orbit eroding into the left frontal bone; fine-needle aspiration confirmed diagnosis of L angerhans cell granulomatosis. After initial biopsy, the patient was treate d by close observation alone, Six months after initial examination, the mon ostotic lesion had completely resolved. CONCLUSIONS: In some cases of monostotic Langerhans cell granulomatosis, in itial biopsy followed by observation alone may allow for the spontaneous re gression of the lesion. This conservative approach to treatment is an impor tant therapeutic option that may spare the patient the adverse effects of s urgical resection, radiation, or chemotherapy. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999;128:11 9-121. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).