Which finding is called a Curschmann spiral?

Which finding is called a Curschmann spiral?

• A. Charcot-Leyden crystals
• B. Curschmann spirals
• C. Dohle bodies
• D. Aschoff bodies

Answer: (B)

In bronchial asthma, the airways shed mucus and epithelium, and sometimes this material forms spiral-shaped mucus plugs that are expelled in the sputum. These spiral plugs are called Curschmann spirals, and their presence reflects mucus hypersecretion and epithelial shedding in inflamed small airways. Charcot-Leyden crystals arise from eosinophil breakdown and indicate eosinophilic inflammation, but they are not spirals. Dohle bodies are neutrophil inclusions seen in certain infections or toxic states, and Aschoff bodies are granulomatous lesions seen in rheumatic fever. So the spiraled mucus plug describes the Curschmann spirals.

In bronchial asthma, the airways shed mucus and epithelium, and sometimes this material forms spiral-shaped mucus plugs that are expelled in the sputum. These spiral plugs are called Curschmann spirals, and their presence reflects mucus hypersecretion and epithelial shedding in inflamed small airways. Charcot-Leyden crystals arise from eosinophil breakdown and indicate eosinophilic inflammation, but they are not spirals. Dohle bodies are neutrophil inclusions seen in certain infections or toxic states, and Aschoff bodies are granulomatous lesions seen in rheumatic fever. So the spiraled mucus plug describes the Curschmann spirals.