Ballooning degeneration

Ballooning degeneration is a histomorphologic change seen in liver pathology. It is indicative of steatohepatitis.

Ballooning degeneration. H&E stain. (WC)

General

• A form of apoptosis.
• Fatty change without ballooning degeneration is steatosis.
• Typically seen in the context of obesity or alcohol.

Microscopic

Features:

• Central nucleus.
  • "Fat cells" have peripheral nucleus.
• Cytoplasm cleared with "whisps" or cobbwebs.
• Large relative to normal hepatocyte.
  • 2-3X normal size.

Notes:

• The term is used only in conjunction with steatohepatitis.
• Feathery degeneration is the term used in the context of cholestasis.
  • It is usually periportal.

DDx:

• Feathery degeneration - has a similar morphology; however, noticeable (yellow) bile is present.

Images

• 

  Ballooning degeneration. (WC/Nephron)

• 

  Ballooning degeneration. (WC/Nephron)

www:

• Ballooning degeneration (uthscsa.edu).
• Ballooning degeneration (med.utah.edu).

See also

• Feathery degeneration.
• Steatohepatitis.
• Steatosis.