Abstract
DPB in a form of chronic inflammation involving respiratory bronchioles with the full thickness of the bronchiolar wall infiltrated by lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. As a result, obstruction or stenosis of the bronchioles ensues resulting in air trapping with subsequent dilatation of the distal air spaces. Accumulation of xanthoma cells are frequently found in the connective tissue as well as in the alveoli. After a long course of disease, the affected foci become scarred and secondary lesions such as focal emphysema, or bronchiolectasis of the more proximal, non-respiratory bronchioles may follow. In the materials presented, in addition to the findings above described, the segmental and subsegmental bronchi showed hyperplasia of the bronchial glands and Reid indices were significantly increased as compared to the controls. Paranasal sinus examined in an autopsy case exhibited hyperplastic sinus glands.
