A 76-year-old man is taken to the emergency room after being involved in a car accident. He is found to have a splenic laceration and is taken to the hospital for an emergent laparotomy. Despite aggressive resuscitation efforts, the patient goes into cardiac arrest and dies during surgery. An autopsy is performed, and the areas of thickening inside the chest wall are shown below. Lung examination shows fibrosis of the lower lobes. Pathologic examination of these fibrotic areas is most likely to reveal which of the following findings?

Question

A 76-year-old man is taken to the emergency room after being involved in a car accident. He is found to have a splenic laceration and is taken to the hospital for an emergent laparotomy. Despite aggressive resuscitation efforts, the patient goes into cardiac arrest and dies during surgery. An autopsy is performed, and the areas of thickening inside the chest wall are shown below.  Lung examination shows fibrosis of the lower lobes.  Pathologic examination of these fibrotic areas is most likely to reveal which of the following findings?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Asbestosis is a pneumoconiosis caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, most commonly in patients who have had occupational exposure (eg, insulation installation, shipbuilding, pipe work). Histopathology reveals diffuse interstitial fibrosis as well as ferruginous asbestos bodies (translucent fibers coated with a golden iron-containing material). Pleural disease (plaques, benign effusions, etc.) is fairly common.

A 76-Year-Old Man Is Taken to the Emergency Room After