Reproductive Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Reinke's crystals are seen in which cells?

Leydig cells. **Explanation:** **Reinke’s crystals** are pathognomonic histological findings found in the cytoplasm of **Leydig cells** (interstitial cells of the testes). These are eosinophilic, rod-shaped, or rectangular cytoplasmic inclusions. While their exact function is unknown, they are composed of protein and are most characteristically seen in **Leydig cell tumors**, though they can occasionally be found in normal adult Leydig cells. **Analysis of Options:** * **Option A (Correct):** Leydig cells are the primary site for Reinke’s crystals. Their presence is a definitive diagnostic marker for Leydig cell tumors (a type of Sex Cord-Stromal Tumor), which often present with precocious puberty in children or gynecomastia in adults due to androgen/estrogen production [1]. * **Option B (Incorrect):** **Sertoli cells** are characterized by **Charcot-Böttcher crystals** (spindle-shaped crystalloids), not Reinke’s crystals [1]. * **Option C (Incorrect):** **Curschmann spirals** are microscopic findings in the sputum of patients with **Bronchial Asthma**, representing mucus plugs from distal airways. * **Option D (Incorrect):** **Creola bodies** are ciliated columnar epithelial cell clusters also found in the sputum of **Asthmatic** patients. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Leydig Cell Tumors:** Most common type of non-germ cell testicular tumor. Only 25-40% of these tumors actually demonstrate Reinke’s crystals on biopsy [1]. * **Hilus Cell Tumors:** These are the ovarian equivalent of Leydig cell tumors and **also** contain Reinke’s crystals. * **Crystalloid Summary:** * Reinke’s = Leydig/Hilus cells. * Charcot-Leyden = Eosinophils (Asthma/Parasites). * Charcot-Böttcher = Sertoli cells. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Diseases Of The Urinary And Male Genital Tracts, pp. 513-514.

Q: Azoospermia is seen in which syndrome?

Young syndrome. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Young syndrome**. **1. Why Young Syndrome is correct:** Young syndrome is a rare clinical triad consisting of **obstructive azoospermia**, chronic sinusitis, and bronchiectasis. The underlying pathophysiology involves the production of abnormally thick, viscous mucus (similar to cystic fibrosis but with normal chloride levels). This inspissated mucus leads to the physical obstruction of the **epididymal ducts**, resulting in azoospermia. Importantly, spermatogenesis in the testes is usually normal, but the sperm cannot be transported out. **2. Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Kartagener Syndrome:** This is a subset of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) characterized by the triad of situs inversus, bronchiectasis, and sinusitis. While it causes male infertility, it typically results in **Necrozoospermia** or **Asthenozoospermia** (immotile sperm) due to structural defects in the sperm flagella (dynein arms). It does *not* typically cause azoospermia, as sperm are produced and transported, but they cannot swim. * **Both:** This is incorrect because the mechanism of infertility differs significantly between the two (Obstructive Azoospermia in Young vs. Immotility in Kartagener). **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Azoospermia Classification:** Always differentiate between **Pre-testicular** (Hormonal), **Testicular** (Klinefelter’s), and **Post-testicular/Obstructive** (Young syndrome, CBAVD). * **Cystic Fibrosis (CF):** A common cause of obstructive azoospermia due to Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens (CBAVD). * **Differential Diagnosis:** If a question mentions "Azoospermia + Respiratory symptoms," look for **Young Syndrome** (thick mucus) or **CF** (absent Vas). If it mentions "Immotile sperm + Situs Inversus," it is **Kartagener**.

Question 1

A 37-year-old woman presents with cyclical premenstrual breast pain and a "lumpy-bumpy" texture on palpation. A biopsy reveals histopathologic features including small cysts lined by epithelial cells with apocrine metaplasia, calcium deposits, areas of fibrosis, increased number of acini (adenosis), and foci of florid hyperplasia of ductal epithelium. Which of these findings increase the risk of breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Florid epithelial hyperplasia

Answer

Adenosis

Answer

Apocrine metaplasia

Answer

Calcium deposits

Question 2

Which of the following statements regarding neoplasms of the ovary is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The presence of ascites and pleural effusion in Brenner tumour indicates a poor prognosis.

Answer

Stromal invasion is commonly present in ovarian tumours of borderline malignancy.

Answer

Lymphocytic infiltration is characteristic of dysgerminoma.

Answer

Endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary may coexist with endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Question 3

Reinke's crystals are seen in which cells?

Accepted Answer

Leydig cells

Answer

Sertoli cells

Answer

Curschmann spirals

Answer

Creola bodies

Question 4

NKX3-1 immunohistochemistry is used for the diagnosis of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Prostate carcinoma

Answer

Colorectal carcinoma

Answer

Pancreatic carcinoma

Answer

Renal cell carcinoma

Question 5

Azoospermia is seen in which syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Young syndrome

Answer

Kartagener syndrome

Answer

Both

Answer

None

Reproductive Pathology — MCQs

Reproductive Pathology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?