Ocular Manifestations of Rosai-Dorfman Disease

Authors

Phoebe L. Mellen, B.S., Department of Pathology, Wills Eye Institute, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PAFollow
Ralph C. Eagle Jr., M.D., Department of Pathology, Wills Eye Institute, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PAFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-26-2013

Abstract

History of Rosai-Dorfman Disease

In 1969, Dr. Juan Rosai and Dr. Ronald F. Dorfman reported four cases of an entity that previously had puzzled pathologists and clinicians. The four cases had failed to fit under any diagnosis, but shared a few common characteristics. Each patient presented with painless, massive lymphadenopathy, most commonly of the cervical lymph nodes¹. Other locations included the inguinal, intra-parotid, and axillary lymph nodes. The patients all presented with fever and leukocytosis¹. The differential diagnosis included malignant lymphoma, malignant histiocytosis, reticuloendotheliosis, and chronic inflammation. However, the histopathological characteristics of the cases did not fit the classical characteristics of these diagnoses. Based on the pathologic findings, Dr. Rosai and Dr. Dorfman created a new entity, which they called “sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML).”¹

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