Biopsy of a cutaneous plaque in a patient with suspected sarcoidosis shows noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas with sparse lymphocytes. Within the giant cells, star-shaped eosinophilic cytoplasmic structures are seen. These inclusions are called:
- A Gamma-Gandy bodies
- B Michaelis-Gutmann bodies
- C Asteroid bodies ✓
- D Rushton bodies
Correct answer: C. Asteroid bodies
Explanation
Asteroid bodies are stellate, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions within multinucleate giant cells in sarcoidal granulomas; Schaumann bodies, the conchoidal laminated calcium inclusions, are their companion finding. Michaelis-Gutmann bodies are calcific inclusions of malakoplakia, Gamma-Gandy bodies are siderotic nodules in congestive splenomegaly, and Rushton bodies occur in odontogenic cyst linings, so none belong in cutaneous sarcoidosis.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.