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Question 413
Pathology → General
Classification
Question
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Histology from a persistent inflammatory lesion shows predominantly mononuclear inflammatory cells. Which additional finding most strongly supports chronic rather than acute inflammation?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Tissue destruction accompanied by fibroblast and vascular proliferation
B
Transient arteriolar vasoconstriction followed by vasodilatation
C
Neutrophil margination followed by pavementing
D
Protein-rich fluid escaping through permeable vessels
E
Early neutrophil emigration into damaged tissue
Explanation
Chronic inflammation combines persistent mononuclear inflammatory infiltration with ongoing tissue destruction and attempts at repair. Proliferation of fibroblasts and vessels with subsequent collagen deposition is therefore characteristic.
Option Validity
B) This is part of the early vascular response of acute inflammation.
C) Margination and pavementing are components of acute leucocyte recruitment.
D) Increased vascular permeability with protein-rich exudation is characteristic of acute inflammation.
E) Neutrophils predominate early in acute inflammation, whereas chronic inflammation is characterised predominantly by mononuclear cells.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 5: Pathology. General Pathology, pp.161–175.