A mononuclear poal inflammatory infiltrate that disrupts the limiting plate and surrounds individual hepatocytes (piecemeal necrosis) is characteristic of
High-Yield Explanation
) Chronic hepatitis has been defined as an inflammatory process of the liver that lasts longer than 1 year and lacks the nodular regeneration and architectural distoion of cirrhosis. In chronic active hepatitis, an intense inflammatory reaction with numerous plasma cells spreads from poal tracts into peripoal areas. The reaction destroys the limiting plate and results in formation of peripoal hepatocytic islets. Prognosis is poor, and the majority of patients develop cirrhosis. Chronic persistent hepatitis is usually a sequela of acute viral hepatitis and has a benign course without progression to chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis. The poal inflammation does not extend into the peripoal areas, and this differentiates chronic persistent hepatitis from chronic active hepatitis. Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 9edition