What are Curschmann's spirals associated with?

Curschmann's spirals are specifically associated with bronchial asthma. These are spiral-shaped mucus plugs that can be found in the bronchial tree of individuals who are experiencing asthma. The presence of these spirals indicates excessive mucus production, which is a hallmark of asthma exacerbations. In asthma, inflammation and narrowing of the airways lead to increased mucus secretion, which can be observed in sputum samples.

The other conditions listed do not typically present with Curschmann's spirals. For instance, pulmonary fibrosis involves the thickening and scarring of lung tissue but does not result in these specific mucus formations. Cystic fibrosis, while it does lead to significant mucus production, is associated with different pathological findings, such as the presence of bronchiectasis rather than Curschmann's spirals. Pneumoconiosis, which is caused by inhaling various types of dust, results in different types of lung pathology and does not typically involve the formation of Curschmann's spirals. Thus, the association of these spirals with bronchial asthma is what makes this choice the correct one.