The Pathology of Acute Liver Failure

Abstract

Varied injuries may manifest clinically as acute liver failure. The pathologic features include variable amounts of necrosis and regeneration. This article reviews pathologic classification of patterns of necrosis and associated inflammatory and regenerative responses in specimens from patients with acute liver failure. Detailed pathologic examination of these specimens with clinical pathologic correlation can give the multidisciplinary team vital information regarding etiology and timing as well as extent of injury, and regenerative response. Pathologists are a vital component of the health care team for patients with acute liver failure.

Keywords: Acetaminophen; Acute liver failure pathology; Autoimmune hepatitis; Hepatotropic viral hepatitis; Massive hepatic necrosis; Submassive hepatic necrosis; Zonal necrosis.