Juvenile Xanthogranuloma Workup
- Author: Theodore Curtis, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD more...
Laboratory Studies
- Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is mainly a clinical diagnosis, which can be confirmed histologically. Histology of excised lesions and cytology of aqueous fluid may be used.
- Routine screening for metabolic or hematologic abnormalities is not recommended.
Imaging Studies
- High-frequency ultrasound of the anterior segment can aid in identifying lesions, which typically appear as solid homogeneous masses, especially when hyphema is present. Ocular ultrasound may also be used to help confirm the location of the intraocular or orbital lesions.
- CT scan and MRI are rarely indicated.
Other Tests
- Biomicroscopy is the main technique used in ocular diagnosis.
Procedures
- Anterior chamber paracentesis to obtain cytologic material has been described and can be useful in cases where the diagnosis is uncertain.
- Gonioscopy is helpful to identify peripheral lesions and to look for causes of secondary glaucoma.
Histologic Findings
Lesions contain dense polyhedral histiocytes with large amounts of cytoplasm that often contain vacuoles. Touton giant cells are present in 85% of cases.[1] They have a wreath of nuclei surrounding a homogenous eosinophilic cytoplasmic center.
Immunohistochemistry shows the lesions to be positive for factor XIIIa, CD68, CD163, fascin, and CD14 but negative for S100 and CD1. This can be used to differentiate these lesions from Langerhans cell histiocytoses.
A prominent vascular network is often present. Evidence of tissue inflammation is seen in the swelling and degeneration of epithelial cells and redundant capillary basement membranes with perivascular edema.
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