[Macroscopic and microscopic lesions in bronchial asthma]

Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2011 Apr-Jun;115(2):499-506.
[Article in Romanian]

Abstract

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by reversible airways obstruction, inflammation, and increased bronchial hyperresponsivennes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the macroscopic and microscopic airways lesions, using bronhoscopy followed by biopsy in 38 cases of Outpatient Department from Clinic of Pulmonary Diseases Iaşi, investigated between January 2005 - June 2008. Patients distribution according to the degree of severity was performed, using the international recommendations for asthma management of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA): intermittent (n=7 patients), mild persistent (n=10 patients), moderate persistent (n=16 patients), and severe persistent (n=5 patients). 23,68% of patients had a chronic disease of more than 15 years. The endoscopic changes of the peripheral airways were represented by edema, congestion, bronchial stenosis and mucus hypersecretion. Microscopic routine exam showed epithelial lesions (epithelial desquamation, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia), basement membrane thickening, edema, increased vascularisation, glandular and muscular hypertrophy and bronchial inflammatory infiltrate. Although bronhoscopy exam offers important information regarding changes of the airway mucosa in bronchial asthma, it concomitantly provide bioptic control, as microscopic examination still represents the "gold standard" assessment of bronchial wall remodeling process.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / pathology*
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Bronchi / pathology*
  • Bronchoscopy*
  • Endothelium / pathology
  • Goblet Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index