Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Case of the Week 368

The following structures were seen in a Papanicolaou-stained sputum specimen from a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Identification?


5 comments:

  1. This specimen most likely represents a BAL or deep lung source. The most prominent cytologic finding is spiral shaped mucous plugs known as Curschmann's spirals. These can be seen in numerous lung processes, most commonly documented in asthmatics. In addition there are background enlongated ciliated respiratory epithelial cells and macrophages. No parasite identified.

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  2. Curschmann's spirals?

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  3. excellent answer above ^ totally agree.

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  4. Thank you very much for the well explained answer. It's a learning experience for us as we do mostly intestinal parasitolgy.

    Florida Fan

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