Ballooning degeneration

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Ballooning degeneration is a histomorphologic change seen in liver pathology. It is indicative of steatohepatitis.[1]

Ballooning degeneration. H&E stain. (WC)

General

  • A form of apoptosis.[2]
  • 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.[3]

Notes:

DDx:

Images

www:

See also

References

  1. Liangpunsakul, S; Chalasani, N (Dec 2003). "Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.". Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol 6 (6): 455-463. PMID 14585234.
  2. Yip, WW; Burt, AD (2006). "Alcoholic liver disease.". Semin Diagn Pathol 23 (3-4): 149–60. doi:10.1053/j.semdp.2006.11.002. PMID 17355088.
  3. Guindi, M. 16 September 2009.