General
and Systemic Histopathology, C601&C602
Slide 58: Lung with abscess
 |
There is such consolidation
in this section of lung, that it is hardly recognizable for what it is.
Just looking at the piece of tissue on the slide, you'll see the diffuse
infiltrate as well as the darker areas represent the complete breakdown
of the pulmonary tissue. Start by looking at the edge of the tissue
to see if you can find any "normal" lung to help you get oriented.
See this slide with the
virtual microscope.
|
 |
This condition could
be due to any number of bacterial organisms, or even a mixture of bugs,
but it happens to be staphylococcus. The general alveolar outlines will
be hard to find in the areas of necrosis, so go to the edge of the tissue
to get your bearings. You will need to be pretty familiar with normal lung
architecture to see anything in the background. Much of the lung parenchyma
has been destroyed by the digestive enzymes of the bugs. You will see many
acute inflammatory cells along with the amorphous digested debris. Clearly,
once the lung tissue has been destroyed and the abscess formed, that lung
tissue is gone for good. |
Back
to Home
|