Abstract Thyroid hormone has effects on the skin. Patients with hypothyroidism have changes such as dry, scaly and rough skin. Increase carotene in the dermis becomes a yellowish tone to the skin of the patient with hypothyroidism. There is an increase in capillary cycle (anagen phase) and nail growth and a reduction in eccrine gland secretion. It is a case of primary hypothyroidism with nail manifestations associated with dermatologic disorders and successful treatment with levothyroxine. Receptors for thyroid hormone have already been found in keratinocytes, fibroblasts, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Genes responsive to thyroid hormones and elements of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis were identified on the skin. This report highlights the importance of cutaneous manifestations as markers of thyroid disease.

RESUMO Histiocitose de células de Langerhans (HCL) é uma patologia benigna, geralmente com bom prognóstico. Relatamos um caso de HCL em uma criança que apresentou apenas comprometimento orbitário, de aparecimento rápido, com quadro clínico de proptose axial, indolor, sem sinais flogísticos. O diagnóstico foi realizado através de imagenologia e biópsia incisional da lesão, com exame histopatológico. O tratamento foi realizado inicialmente com corticoterapia sistêmica, com posterior introdução de quimioterapia. O curso clínico foi favorável.

SUMMARY Langerhans' cells histiocytosis (LCH) is a benign disease usually with a good prognosis. We report a case of LCH in a child who presented only orbital affection of sudden onset, axial proptosis, without pain or inflammation. The diagnosis was obtained after imaging followed by incisional biopsy with histopathological examination. Treatment was done inicially with sistemic corticosteroids, introducing chemotherapy later. Clinical course was favorable.