Asteroid body

Asteroid bodies are star-shaped, eosinophilic structures found in the cytoplasm of giant cells in granulomatous conditions. They are not specific to any disease but are often associated with sarcoidosis, a disease that leads to inflammation, usually in your lungs, skin, or lymph nodes.

Overview

Asteroid bodies are not pathognomonic of any particular disease. They are found in a variety of conditions including foreign body reactions, rheumatoid nodules, and granulomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. The exact composition of asteroid bodies is not known, but they are believed to be composed of lipids and proteins.

Appearance

Asteroid bodies appear as star-shaped, eosinophilic structures in the cytoplasm of multinucleated giant cells. They are usually surrounded by a clear halo. The number of rays in an asteroid body can vary, but there are typically between four and ten. The rays are often curved and taper towards the ends.

Clinical Significance

While asteroid bodies are not specific to any disease, their presence can be a useful diagnostic clue in certain conditions. In sarcoidosis, for example, they are found in approximately 60% of cases. However, they can also be found in other granulomatous diseases such as tuberculosis and rheumatoid nodules.

See Also

• Sarcoidosis
• Tuberculosis
• Rheumatoid nodules
• Granulomatous diseases
• Multinucleated giant cells

References

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  Asteroid body under high magnification
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  Asteroid body under intermediate magnification
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  Asteroid body under very high magnification
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  Asteroid body in sarcoidosis