A pathologist examines a lymph node from a patient with tuberculosis. Microscopy shows amorphous, granular, eosinophilic debris with loss of all cellular outlines, surrounded by epithelioid histiocytes and Langhans giant cells. This pattern of necrosis is best described as:
- A Caseous necrosis ✓
- B Liquefactive necrosis
- C Coagulative necrosis
- D Fat necrosis
Correct answer: A. Caseous necrosis
Explanation
Caseous necrosis, characteristic of tuberculosis, appears as amorphous, granular, eosinophilic debris with complete loss of tissue architecture, surrounded by a granulomatous reaction of epithelioid histiocytes and Langhans giant cells. Coagulative necrosis preserves cell outlines. Liquefactive necrosis produces liquid debris without granulomas. Fat necrosis shows chalky white deposits with giant cells reacting to released fat.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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