Language
Country/Area
No result found
The mystery of granulomas: Do you know the true identity of these small nodules?
In medicine and pathology, granulomas are structures formed by aggregates of macrophages and other cells and are often the product of a chronic inflammatory response. Granulomas form when the immune system attempts to isolate foreign substances that cannot be eliminated. These materials may include infectious organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other materials such as foreign bodies, keratin, and suture fragments. The process of granuloma formation and its importance in many diseases make this topic well worth exploring.
Granuloma is an orderly collection of macrophages...
Definition and characteristics of granular tumors
Granuloma is pathologically defined as a histologically ordered collection of macrophages. In everyday medicine, doctors sometimes use the term granuloma to refer to any small nodule, which is not specific because a nodule can be anything from a harmless birthmark to a malignant tumor. Therefore, this usage is not very specific. Although granulomas are mainly composed of macrophages, they may also contain lymphocytes, multinucleated giant cells, and fibroblasts in their structure.
Macrophages in granulomas are often called "epitheloid"...
Causes of granuloma
Granuloma formation is often due to a long-term reaction to an antigen. These antigens may be infectious pathogens, or foreign or sometimes unknown substances. For example, in tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis may cause granulomas often accompanied by necrosis, whereas in granulomatous disease, non-necrotizing granulomas are often present. The presence of necrosis often indicates an underlying cause of infection.
Classification of granular tumors
According to whether granulomas contain necrosis, granulomas can be divided into two categories: necrotic and non-necrotic. Necrotizing granulomas are usually associated with infectious causes, whereas non-necrotizing granulomas may be associated with autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and other non-infectious factors.
Necrotizing granulomas are often related to infectious causes...
Common diseases of granuloma
Granulomas may occur in various diseases, whether infectious or non-infectious. For example:
Tuberculosis: Granulomas caused byMycobacterium tuberculosisoften show necrosis.Botulism: Granular swellings visible in the skin and may involve nerves.Eosinophilic granuloma: associated with allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis.Crohn's disease: This is an intestinal inflammation caused by unknown causes, and granular swelling is more common inside.
Diagnosis and challenges of granular tumors
The diagnosis of granuloma often requires a pathologist to examine the surgically removed tissue under a microscope. Although radiologists can identify calcified nodules based on X-rays or CT scans, determining whether these nodules are granulomas requires more precise pathological analysis.
Treatment and Prognosis
Treatment of granulomas depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, granuloma formation can be controlled by removal of the primary lesion. In addition, granulomas caused by certain autoimmune diseases may require treatment with immunosuppressants or steroids. Granulomas may resolve spontaneously without causing any complications, but in some cases severe tissue fibrosis may lead to functional impairment.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the granuloma...
Future research directions for granuloma
With the advancement of science, there is a deeper understanding of the biological mechanism of granuloma formation. Future research may focus on the prevention of granulomas, early detection techniques, and their potential treatments.
Have you ever thought that these tiny granules might hide a deeper understanding of our health?
