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Home » Topics A–Z » Juvenile xanthogranuloma pathology
Author: Adjunct A/Prof Patrick Emanuel, Dermatopathologist, Clinica Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru. DermNet NZ Editor-in-Chief: Adjunct A/Prof Amanda Oakley. Copy edited by Gus Mitchell. September 2018.
Juvenile xanthogranuloma usually presents in younger individuals as smooth pink or yellow nodules.
In juvenile xanthogranuloma, the lesion begins as a dense lymphohistiocytic proliferation of dermis with rare giant cells. As it evolves, the dermal tumour contains a population of foamy histiocytes and giant cells (figures 1–3). Touton giant cells are quite characteristic of juvenile xanthogranuloma (best seen in figure 3). These cells contain a ring of nuclei surrounding a central homogeneous cytoplasm, while foamy cytoplasm surrounds the nuclei. Later the cells become more spindled and fibrohistiocytic-like.
Immunohistochemistry can be used. Typically the tumour is positive with CD68, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, lysozyme, vimentin, and Factor XIIIa. Useful negative stains include S100 and CD1a.
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