Central spherules in pulmonary corpora amylacea

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary pathology
• Respiratory system research
• Toxicology

Background:

• Pulmonary corpora amylacea are rare microscopic findings in lung tissue.
• Their origin and formation mechanism remain incompletely understood.
• Previous studies have not definitively identified exogenous sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the origin and formation of pulmonary corpora amylacea.
• To determine the prevalence of pulmonary corpora amylacea in an unselected autopsy population.
• To explore potential exogenous sources, such as inhaled spores.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 6,500 unselected autopsy cases.
• Morphologic examination of 1,000 pulmonary corpora amylacea.
• Comparison of internal sphere morphology with known biological structures.

Main Results:

• Pulmonary corpora amylacea were identified in 37 cases (0.6%).
• Thirty corpora amylacea contained intact hollow spheres (15-20 μm diameter).
• Morphology suggests derivation from plant spores, possibly lycopodium.

Conclusions:

• Inhaled lycopodium spores are a plausible source for pulmonary corpora amylacea.
• This exogenous origin explains the observed sporadic incidence and uniform size.
• Further research is warranted to confirm the lycopodium hypothesis.