A 30-year-old man with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoes lung biopsy. Microscopy shows a focus of necrotic tissue with amorphous, granular, eosinophilic debris and loss of all cellular and tissue architecture. The necrotic material has a 'cheese-like' gross appearance. What is the term for this pattern of necrosis?

• A Coagulative necrosis
• B Liquefactive necrosis
• C Fibrinoid necrosis
• D Caseous necrosis ✓

Explanation

Caseous necrosis is characteristic of tuberculosis. It appears as amorphous, granular, eosinophilic debris with complete loss of tissue architecture. Unlike coagulative necrosis, cell outlines are not preserved. Unlike liquefactive necrosis, the tissue is not fully liquefied. Fibrinoid necrosis involves immune complex deposition in vessel walls.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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