LAUSR

Curschmann's spirals (CSs) are characteristic acellular elongated coiled structures that have a dark central axis and a translucent pe -riphery. 1 Histochemical studies have demonstrated that they are composed of mucin material that biochemically corresponds to large glycoproteins. 2 They were first described in sputum samples, and we now know that they are a common finding in cytological samples of the lower respiratory tract of patients with chronic bronchitis and asthma. 1 They are a nonspecific finding since they can also be ob served in asymptomatic non- smokers. The most likely explanation for CSs seen in respiratory samples is that they represent casts of inspissated mucus with the shape of distal bronchioles. 1,2 CSs have been also described in cervicovaginal cytological samples where they seem related to endocervical mucoid material. CSs have been rarely observed in pleural and peritoneal effusions, breast cysts, the cyst fluid of a teratoma, and in a fine needle aspiration sample of an inflammatory parotid lesion. 3– 6 In this report we describe the pres ence of a CS in a voided urine sample. To our knowledge they have never been reported in urine. Our review of the literature disclosed no cases, and they are not mentioned in textbooks that discuss urinary cytology in detail. 7,8 patient, A voided urine We considered that improbable since the preparation of the slides is done in a security chamber and our technicians always wear masks. Glandular cells are particularly common in bladder diversion speci mens where no CS structures have been reported. The importance of recognising CSs is to avoid confusion with parasite larva. Microfilaria and Strongyloides stercolaris may have elongated forms, but detailed microscopic examination allows differentiation. In conclusion we have reported a case of a CS in a voided urine sample for which we have no explanation. We hope that this finding will encourage other patholo gists to search for their presence. With a greater number of reported cases, we may be able to find an aetiopathogenic explanation.