This clinical case highlights the diagnostic challenges encountered in a young adult smoker presenting with undifferentiated pulmonary nodules. Initial investigations were inconclusive, necessitating surgical lung biopsy due to the nodules' size and location. The histopathological examination revealed pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH). This emphasizes the importance of considering PLCH in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, particularly in smokers. Moreover, it underscores the value of surgical biopsy in cases where other diagnostic techniques are limited. Early recognition and accurate diagnosis are crucial for optimal management and outcomes in PLCH.
Keywords: Langerhans cell Histiocytosis; pulmonary Langerhans cell Histiocytosis; pulmonary nodule; surgical lung biopsy.
© 2024 The Author(s). Respirology Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.