Histopathology - Lung Flashcards
What are
o Curschmann’s spiral
o Charcot Leyden crystals
and where are they seen?
o Curschmann’s spiral – spiral-shaped mucous plugs/ whorls of shed epithelium
o Charcot Leyden crystals – found in oesinophils/basophil granules
seen in asthma
Define chronic bronchitis (COPD)
o Chronic cough productive of sputum, most days for >=3 months over >=2 consecutive years
Histology of COPD
Goblet cell hyperplasia
Hypertrophy of mucous glands
Dilation of airways
Histology of asthma
Hyperaemia Mucous plugging and inflammation Eosinophilic inflammation Goblet cell hyperplasia Hypertrophied constricted muscle
Curschmann spirals
Charcot Leyden crystals
Complications of chronic bronchitis (COPD)
Repeated infections - most common cause of hospital admission + death
Chronic hypoxia:
- reduced exercise tolerance
- pulmonary HTN
- cor pulmonale
- RHF
Lung cancer (independent of smoking)
Bronchiectasis complications
Recurrent infections
Pulmonary HTN + RHF
Haemoptysis
Amyloidosis
Which gene is responsible for CF?
CFTR (CF transmembrane conductance regulator) gene on Chr 7
Histology of emphysema
Loss of alveolar parenchyma distal to the terminal bronchiole
Where are iron-laden macrophages found?
Pulmonary oedema
How does diffuse alveolar damage present in adults vs neonates?
Adults - ARDS
Neonated - RDS (=hyaline membrane disease of the newborn)
Diffuse alveolar damage changes
Capillary congestion –> Exudative phase –> Hyaline membranes –> organising phase
Histology of bronchopneumonia
Patchy bronchial and peribronchial distribution
Inflammation surrounding bronchioles themselves + is within the alveoli
Lower lobes
Causes of bronchopneumonia vs lobar pneumonia
Bronchopneumonia –> Low virulence organisms
Staph
Strep
Haemophilus
Pneumococcus
Lobar pneumonia –> high virulence organisms
Pneumococcus
Histology of lobar pneumonia
Widespread fibrinosuppurative consolidation
Stages of lobar pneumonia
Congestion of the lungs - hyperaemia, intra-alveolar fluid
Red hepatisation - intra-alveolar neutrophils, hyperaemia (neutrophilia)
Grey hepatisation - intra-alveolar connective tissue (fibrosis)
Resolution
Complications - abscess, pleuritis, pleural effusion, empyema, fibrosis, sepsis