Zahid Ibrahim, Sohail Aruba, Tahir Roohan, Belardo Matthew, Hooks Brandon
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M. D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA.
Dow Medical College, DUHS, Karachi, Pakistan.
BMC Pulm Med. 2025 Jan 27;25(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12890-025-03513-3.
Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare interstitial lung disease primarily affecting young to middle-aged smokers. While traditionally linked to tobacco use, there is growing evidence that cannabis use may contribute to PLCH.
We present a case of a 52-year-old male with PLCH associated with heavy cannabis use. Diagnostic evaluations included CT scan of the chest and histopathological examination of a lung biopsy. In addition, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to identify and analyze similar cases of PLCH linked to cannabis use. Databases searched included PubMed and Google Scholar, following PRISMA guidelines.
The patient presented with dyspnea, cough and unintentional weight loss. The patient had a 20-year history of smoking approximately ten cannabis blunts per day. Despite normal initial chest X-ray findings, a CT scan of his chest revealed upper lobe predominant cystic changes and emphysema. Histopathology from a transbronchial biopsy confirmed the presence of Langerhans cells, consistent with PLCH. Literature review identified five additional case reports of PLCH associated with cannabis use, involving patients aged 16 to 59 years, with a mean age of 35.8 years. Common clinical presentations included cough, dyspnea, and chest pain, with radiographic findings of nodules and cysts. Treatment was primarily targeted towards smoking cessation, which led to clinical improvement in all cases.
This case underscores the potential association between heavy cannabis use and the development of PLCH. With the increasing prevalence of cannabis consumption, it is essential to recognize cannabis as a possible risk factor for PLCH. Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cannabis-related PLCH. As cannabis use becomes more prevalent with changing legislation, understanding its impact on lung health and potential role in diseases like PLCH is increasingly important.
肺朗格汉斯细胞组织细胞增多症（PLCH）是一种罕见的间质性肺疾病，主要影响年轻至中年吸烟者。虽然传统上认为与烟草使用有关，但越来越多的证据表明，大麻使用可能与PLCH有关。
我们报告一例52岁男性PLCH患者，该患者大量使用大麻。诊断评估包括胸部CT扫描和肺活检的组织病理学检查。此外，还对文献进行了全面回顾，以识别和分析与大麻使用相关的PLCH类似病例。按照PRISMA指南，检索的数据库包括PubMed和谷歌学术。
患者出现呼吸困难、咳嗽和体重意外减轻。该患者有20年的吸烟史，每天吸食约10支大麻烟。尽管最初胸部X光检查结果正常，但胸部CT扫描显示上叶为主的囊性改变和肺气肿。经支气管活检的组织病理学检查证实存在朗格汉斯细胞，符合PLCH。文献回顾发现另外5例与大麻使用相关的PLCH病例报告，患者年龄在16至59岁之间，平均年龄为35.8岁。常见的临床表现包括咳嗽、呼吸困难和胸痛，影像学表现为结节和囊肿。治疗主要针对戒烟，所有病例均因此临床症状改善。
该病例强调了大量使用大麻与PLCH发生之间的潜在关联。随着大麻消费的日益普遍，认识到大麻是PLCH的一个可能危险因素至关重要。需要进一步研究以了解大麻相关PLCH的病理生理机制。随着立法变化大麻使用变得更加普遍，了解其对肺部健康的影响以及在PLCH等疾病中的潜在作用越来越重要。
