New paradigms in the histopathology of NAFLD

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rapidly growing global health problem. It can be separated histologically into two broad groups: steatosis, which usually follows a benign clinical course and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that typically has hepatocyte ballooning, necroinflammatory activity and can progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis. More recently the histological spectrum has expanded with the recognition of a paediatric pattern of NASH that has portal-based inflammation and fibrosis without ballooning. An overlap pattern is also described. There is increasing interest in the portal changes of NASH as these correlate with the progression of fibrosis. Disease-associated hepatocyte senescence appears to trigger an alternative regenerative pathway and the development of a periportal ductular reaction (DR), which in turn may have a role in progressive fibrogenesis. Portal inflammation, particularly in association with the DR, is an area of recent study. © Springer Science+Business Media 2014.