Eosinophilic granuloma is a rare disease of unexplained etiology, which is characterized by the formation in the bone tissue of infiltrates (granulomas), rich in eosinophilic leukocytes. Most often, eosinophilic granuloma affects the bones of the skull, jaws, spine. There are also cases of extravascular lesions - muscles, skin, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, etc.
Causes of eosinophilic granuloma
The exact causes of the disease are not known, but there are the following assumptions about the etiology of eosinophilic granuloma:
- infectious-allergic nature of the disease;
- injuries as a provoking factor;
- tissue helminthic invasion and others.
Symptoms of eosinophilic granuloma
The first manifestation of the disease is soreness and swelling in the lesion. On the skull, the swelling is soft, when the edges of the bone defect are felt, they have the outlines of a crater-like thickening. When the long tubular bones are affected, foci of destruction are detected as rounded thickenings without reactive changes. As a rule, the skin over the affected foci does not change.
The general condition of the patient is satisfactory, but with the defeat of the bones of the skull, headaches can be noted that increase with movement. When the spine is affected, there is a restriction of mobility in the affected area, pain during exercise, which of the soon-to-be-transmitted becomes permanent.
The disease develops slowly in most cases, but sometimes it can quickly progress. With large-scale lesions, pathological fractures are possible, as well as the formation of false joints.
Treatment of eosinophilic granuloma
An accurate diagnosis can be made on the basis of clinical data, X-ray diagnosis and the results of a morphological study with bone biopsy.
There are cases of spontaneous recovery in this pathology, therefore, in most cases, observation (wait and see tactics) is performed before the appointment of treatment for some time.
In the treatment of eosinophilic granulomas, the X-ray therapy method can be used - irradiation with X-rays of destructive sections of bone tissue. Also use hormone therapy (taking corticosteroids ). In some cases, a surgical method is used - curettage, in which the scraping of foci of eosinophilic granuloma is made. After removal of the pathological focus can be a healthy bone transplant.