Which statement distinguishes histologic features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis from simple steatosis?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement distinguishes histologic features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis from simple steatosis?

The distinguishing feature is the addition of hepatocellular injury and scarring to the fatty change. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fat is present but hepatocytes also show ballooning degeneration, with inflammation in the hepatic lobules and varying degrees of fibrosis, on top of the steatosis. Simple steatosis, by contrast, has fat accumulation without ballooning and without significant inflammation or fibrosis. This combination of ballooning, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis marks NASH, whereas the absence of those injury features describes simple steatosis.

The distinguishing feature is the addition of hepatocellular injury and scarring to the fatty change. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fat is present but hepatocytes also show ballooning degeneration, with inflammation in the hepatic lobules and varying degrees of fibrosis, on top of the steatosis. Simple steatosis, by contrast, has fat accumulation without ballooning and without significant inflammation or fibrosis. This combination of ballooning, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis marks NASH, whereas the absence of those injury features describes simple steatosis.

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