Contributed by Anthony J. Demetris, M.D.
PATIENT HISTORY:
Per referral report, the patient is a middle aged caucasian female, S/P OLT. Now with increased LFT. Liver biopsy consistent with rejection. Review of outside material.


Final Diagnosis (Case 83)

LIVER, NEEDLE BIOPSY -
  1. CHANGES SUGGESTIVE OF THE EARLIEST PHASES OF CHRONIC REJECTION (See microscopic description).
  2. PORTAL FIBROSIS, FOCALLY BRIDGING, AND DUCTULAR PROLIFERATION CONSISTENT WITH THE HISTORY OF PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED RECURRENT PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS.

Previous Biopsies on this Patient:
None

TPIS Related Resources:
Liver Transplant Topics


Gross Description - Case 83

The specimen consists of one (1) consult slide with an accompanying surgical pathology report.


Microscopic Description - Case 83

(1 HE)
The normal lobular architecture is distorted by mild to moderate portal fibrosis which is focally bridging. There is mild ductular proliferation in some of the portal triads, but many of the ducts are atrophic appearing, show eosinophilic transformation of the cytoplasm, uneven nuclear spacing and pyknosis. There is also a mild predominantly mononuclear, but mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate and mild portal edema. No obliterative arteriopathy is recognized. Mild interface activity is seen.

Throughout the lobules there is mild kupffer cell hypertrophy and mild to moderate spotty acidophilic necrosis of hepatocytes. However, no definite viral inclusions or ground glass cells are seen. There is however, perivenular hepatocellular dropout, congestion, hemorrhage, fibrosis and very mild perivenular inflammation.

The histopathological changes suggest that more than one insult is contributing to the liver injury. The portal fibrosis, which is focally bridging, and cholangiolar proliferation are consistent with a known history of recurrent primary disease in this patient. However, the widespread duct atrophy and pyknosis along with perivenular hepatocellular dropout and inflammation are somewhat unusual for recurrent primary biliary cirrhosis alone, and suggest a superimposed component of rejection, probably best classified as the early stages of chronic rejection. The spotty acidophilic lobular necrosis can be seen as part of the rejection syndrome, but viral infection, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and CMV infection should be excluded by serologic studies and immunohistochemical staining.


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