Bronchial Wall Thickening

The bronchial wall thickening noted on the CT was not related to the veno-occlusive disease, but rather to the changes noted in the histologic sections shown below.

Note the hyperplastic epithelium, prominent smooth muscle, and fibrosis around this medium-sized airway. The artery to the right has a thickened media.

At higher magnification, the goblet cells are increased in number and there are many subepithelial inflammatory cells. What is the cause of the bronchial wall thickening? Answer

Clinical summary Discussion

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Answer

The fibromuscular thickening, epithelial hyperplasia, goblet cell metaplasia, and numerous eosinophils are manifestations of this patient's asthma.

Clinical summary Discussion

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