| [ Summary ] |
Liver fibrosis is a classic topic of pathological studies. Although earlier studies focused how liver fibrosis progresses, many investigators are currently interested more in the regression process of hepatic fibrosis. This trend has been reinforced by the fact that some liver diseases including hepatitis C have become treatable. The regression of fibrosis is a dynamic process operated by absorption of collagen fibers and regeneration of residual hepatocytes. Histologically, thin fibrous septa, less inflammatory fibrous septa, delicate fibrous spikes around portal tracts, entrapped hepatocytes in enlarged portal tracts, and large regenerative nodules indicate the regression of fibrosis. However, microscopic changes differ among etiologies, and the regression is generally less likely to occur in chronic cholestatic diseases due to irreversible bile duct loss. |