Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis 

  • Author: Jeffrey P Callen, MD; Chief Editor: Herbert S Diamond, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 16, 2011
 

Background

In 1954, Goltz and Laymon coined the term multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) to describe patients with destructive arthritis and multiple cutaneous nodules that histologically manifest as an infiltrate of histiocytic multinucleated giant cells with eosinophilic ground-glass cytoplasm.[1] This is a rare condition; fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the world literature. Various diseases have been associated with MRH, including malignancy.[2]

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Pathophysiology

The pathogenesis of this condition is unknown but probably has an immunologic basis. Some studies have demonstrated increased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–alpha in the blood and in the tissue.[3, 4]

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

MRH is a very rare condition, and no studies have detailed the prevalence in the general population.

International

MRH is a rare condition.

Mortality/Morbidity

MRH is a debilitating process but rarely causes death unless the patient has an associated malignancy.

Race

MRH has been reported primarily in whites.

Sex

Women are affected more commonly than men, with a female-to-male ratio of 2:1.

Age

MRH may occur at any age, but it has been reported primarily in middle-aged adults, with a mean age of 43 years.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jeffrey P Callen, MD  Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Abbott Honoraria Consulting; Electrical Optical Sciences Consulting fee Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Safety Monitoring Committee; GSK - Glaxo Smith Kline Consulting fee Consulting; TenXBioPharma Consulting fee Safety Monitoring Committee

Specialty Editor Board

Bryan L Martin, DO  Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Official, Associate Medical Director, Director, Allergy Immunology Program, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine

Bryan L Martin, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American College of Osteopathic Internists, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Marcel E Conrad, MD  Distinguished Professor of Medicine (Retired), University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Marcel E Conrad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Blood Banks, American Chemical Society, American College of Physicians, American Physiological Society, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Hematology, Association of American Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society of Hematology, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, and Southwest Oncology Group

Disclosure: No financial interests None None

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP  Southwest Medical Consultants, SC, Department of Medicine, Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Health Systems

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Herbert S Diamond, MD  Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Chairman Emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine, Western Pennsylvania Hospital

Herbert S Diamond, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American College of Rheumatology, American Medical Association, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Merck Ownership interest Other; Smith Kline Ownership interest Other; Zimmer Ownership interest Other

References

  1. Goltz RW, Laymon CW. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis of the skin and synovia; reticulohistiocytoma or ganglioneuroma. AMA Arch Derm Syphilol. Jun 1954;69(6):717-31. [Medline].

  2. Nunnink JC, Krusinski PA, Yates JW. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis and cancer: a case report and review of the literature. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1985;13(5):273-9. [Medline].

  3. Kovach BT, Calamia KT, Walsh JS, Ginsburg WW. Treatment of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with etanercept. Arch Dermatol. Aug 2004;140(8):919-21. [Medline].

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  12. Goto H, Inaba M, Kobayashi K, et al. Successful treatment of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with alendronate: evidence for a direct effect of bisphosphonate on histiocytes. Arthritis Rheum. Dec 2003;48(12):3538-41. [Medline].

  13. Satoh M, Oyama N, Yamada H, Nakamura K, Kaneko F. Treatment trial of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with a combination of predonisolone, methotrexate and alendronate. J Dermatol. Mar 2008;35(3):168-71. [Medline].

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  15. Kalajian AH, Callen JP. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis successfully treated with infliximab: an illustrative case and evaluation of cytokine expression supporting anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. Arch Dermatol. Oct 2008;144(10):1360-6. [Medline].

  16. De Knop KJ, Aerts NE, Ebo DG, Van Offel JF, Stevens WJ, De Clerck LS. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis associated arthritis responding to anti-TNF and methotrexate. Acta Clin Belg. Jan-Feb 2011;66(1):66-9. [Medline].

  17. Barrow MV, Holubar K. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. A review of 33 patients. Medicine (Baltimore). Jul 1969;DA - 19690930(4):287-305. [Medline].

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Multiple erythematous nodules are present on the dorsal hands of this adolescent with an inflammatory arthropathy.
Multiple erythematous to brown nodules on the fingers.
Erythematous, poikilodermatous mamillated plaque on the anterior chest.
Histopathology of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) skin lesions.
Histopathology of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) skin lesions. Higher power demonstrating the ground glass cytoplasm and multinucleated giant cells.
 
 
 
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