Eosinophilic Granuloma (Histiocytosis X) Medication

  • Author: Eleanor M Summerhill, MD, FACP, FCCP; Chief Editor: Zab Mosenifar, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 17, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The mainstays of treatment for pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis X (PLCH) are smoking cessation and supportive therapy. The use of corticosteroids in the treatment of PLCH is controversial. Their efficacy has not been proven in well-designed, prospective, randomized, controlled trials. Some experts recommend a trial of corticosteroids for those patients with persistent symptomatic disease or evidence of progression.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

These agents have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. Corticosteroids modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli.

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Prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Orasone, Sterapred)

 

Used as immunosuppressant to treat autoimmune disorders. By reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing activity of polymorphonuclear cells, may decrease inflammation. Oral corticosteroid with relatively limited mineralocorticoid activity. Best prescribed in consultation with pulmonary disease specialist.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Eleanor M Summerhill, MD, FACP, FCCP  Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University; Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island

Eleanor M Summerhill, MD, FACP, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Thoracic Society, Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine, and Rhode Island Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael Peterson, MD  Chief of Medicine, Vice-Chair of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine; Endowed Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco-Fresno, School of Medicine

Michael Peterson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and American Thoracic Society

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

Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP  Associate Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Service, Henry Ford Health System

Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Timothy D Rice, MD  Associate Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

Timothy D Rice, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Zab Mosenifar, MD  Director, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Director, Women's Guild Pulmonary Disease Institute, Professor and Executive Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Zab Mosenifar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Robert S. Crausman, MD, MMS, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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Low-power photomicrograph of a lung-tissue specimen that demonstrates the classic stellate nodule of pulmonary histiocytosis X (hematoxylin-eosin stain).
 
 
 
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